THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


Facing  the  World 


The  Haps  and  Mishaps  of  Harry  Vane 


By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 

Author  of  "Tom  Turner's  Legacy,"  "Mark  Mason's  Victory," 

"  A  Debt  of  Honor,"  "  Bernard  Brook's  Adventures," 

etc.,  etc. 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY,   PUBLISHERS 
NEW  YORK 


FACING  THE  WORLD. 


CHAPTER  I. 

HARRY    RECEIVES    A    LETTER. 

"HERE'S  a  letter  for  you,  Harry,"  said  George 
Howard. 

"Thank  you,  Georgie.     Where  did  you  get  it?" 

"I  was  passing  the  hotel  on  my  way  home  from 
school  when  Abner  Potts  called  out  to  me  from  the 
piazza,  and  asked  me  to  bring  it  to  you." 

The  speaker  was  a  bright,  round-faced  boy  of 
ten.  The  boy  whom  he  addressed  was  five  or  six 
years  older.  He  had  a  pleasant  face,  but  it  was  a 
strong  face,  also,  and  there  was  an  air  of  firm- 
ness and  resolution  which  indicated  that  he  was  a 
boy  who  knew  his  rights,  and  knowing,  dared 
maintain.  He  was  grave,  too,  but  this  was  not 
his  ordinary  expression.  He  had  special  reason  to 


503875 

EDUCATIOT 


2  FACING    THE   WORLD. 

look  sober,  for  only  a  week  previous  he  had  lost 
his  father,  and  as  the  family  consisted  only  of  these 
two,  he  was  left,  so  far  as  near  relatives  were  con- 
cerned, alone  in  the  world. 

Immediately  after  the  funeral  he  had  been  in- 
vited home  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Howard,  a  friend  of 
his  father,  but  in  no  manner  connected  with  him  by 
ties  of  relationship. 

"You  can  stay  here  as  long  as  you  like,  Harry," 
said  Mr.  Howard,  kindly.  "It  will  take  you 
some  time  to  form  your  plans,  perhaps,  and 
Georgie  will  be  glad  to  have  your  company." 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Howard,"  said  Harry,  grate- 
fully. "There  is  no  place  that  will  seem  so  much 
like  home  to  me,  but  I  am  old  enough  to  work  at 
some  business  directly." 

"Shall  you  look  for  some  employment  here?" 

"No,  my  father  has  a  second  cousin  in  Cole- 
brook,  named  John  Fox.  Before  he  died  he  ad- 
vised me  to  write  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  go  to  his  house 
if  I  should  receive  an  invitation." 

"Do  you  know  anything  of  this  John  Fox?" 

"No;  he  and  my  father  had  not  met  for  many 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  3 

years — in  fact,  since  they  were  both  boys.  I  be- 
lieve there  had  been  no  communication  between 
them  in  all  that  time.  He  is  a  prosperous  man,  I 
hear,  and  my  father  thought  he  would  be  a  suit- 
able guardian." 

"Where  does  he  live?" 

"In  Colebrook." 

"That  is  a  hundred  miles  away,"  said  Mr. 
Howard,  thoughtfully. 

"So  father  told  me." 

"Have  you  written  to  Mr.  Fox?" 

"I  shall  write  to-night." 

"Have  you  any  idea  how  your  father  was  situ- 
ated as  regards  property?"  asked  Mr.  Howard, 
watching  Harry's  face  with  sympathetic  interest. 

"I  am  afraid  there  is  very  little  property." 

"You  are  right  there.  Your  father  had  in  my 
hands — he  placed  it  with  me  for  safe  keeping — 
three  hundred  dollars.  Then  there  is  the  furni- 
ture, which  it  will  be  best  to  sell.  I  suppose  it  will 
hardly  bring  more  than  enough  to  defray  the 
funeral  expenses." 

"I  expected  that,  sir." 


4  FACING   THE    WORLD.. 

"So  that  you  inherit  but  three  hundred  dollars 
clear." 

"It  is  enough,  sir,  with  my  good  health  and 
strong  arms,"  answered  Harry,  calmly. 

"You  are  not  afraid,  then,  to  begin  the  world  on 
this  small  provision?" 

"No,  sir,"  said  Harry,  with  calm  confidence. 

"Well,  I  applaud  your  courage,  Harry.  I  think, 
myself,  that  you  will  get  along." 

"I  ought  to  say  that  there  is  one  item  of  prop- 
erty besides,  Mr.  Howard." 

"What  is  that?" 

"Fifty  shares  in  a  Lake  Superior  copper  mine." 

"Indeed!  I  had  not  heard  of  it,"  said  Mr. 
Howard,  showing  surprise. 

"My  father  gave  them  to  me  before  he  died,  say- 
ing  that  they  were  probably  worthless,  and  not 
worth  handing  over  to  my  guardian.  He  advised 
me  to  keep  them  myself,  and  if  ever  they  amounted 
to  anything,  to  sell  them." 

"How  long  has  he  owned  them?" 

"Some  years,  I  think.  He  was  on  a  visit  to  the 
Western  country  when  he  was  induced  to  buy 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  5 

them.     I  don't  think  the  mine  is  worked  now." 

"Still,  there  is  no  knowing  what  may  come  of  it. 
You  had  better  take  good  care  of  the  shares." 

"I  should  like  to  leave  them  with  you,  Mr.  How- 
ard. I  don't  care  to  hand  them  to  Mr.  Fox." 

"Just  as  you  please,  Harry.  Is  Mr.  Fox  your 
only  relative?"  he  continued. 

"There  may  be  an  exception,"  said  Harry.  "An 
uncle  of  mine  disappeared  fifteen  years  ago.  He 
was  a  seafaring  man,  and,  when  last  heard  from, 
was  the  mate  of  a  merchant  vessel.  The  vessel 
was  lost,  and,  I  suppose,  he  was  lost  with  it,  but 
we  never  could  find  out.  You  know  my  father 
was  an  Englishman?" 

"Yes,  I  know  that." 

"And  my  uncle  had  never  been  in  America,  un- 
less he  touched  here  on  some  voyage.  Father 
came  to  this  country  when  he  was  twenty-five,  and 
married  here." 

"So  you  are  American  born,  Harry?" 

"I  consider  myself  an  American,"  said  the  boy, 
proudly.  "Besides,  my  mother  was  an  Ameri- 
can." 


6  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"And  this  Mr.  Fox— is  he  English?" 

"He  was  born  in  Liverpool,  but  was  brought 
here  when  he  was  about  the  age  of  Georgie." 

"I  hope,  for  your  sake,  he  will  prove  a  good 
man.  What  is  his  business?" 

"I  don't  know,  nor  did  my  father.  All  I  know 
is,  that  he  is  considered  a  prosperous  man." 

We  have  kept  the  reader  waiting  for  some  time 
in  ignorance  of  the  contents  of  Harry's  letter.  The 
delay,  however,  has  enabled  us  to  understand  it 
better.  It  was  inclosed  in  a  brown  envelope,  and 
ran  as  follows : 

"HARRY  VANE:  I  have  receaved  your  letter, 
saying  that  your  father  wants  me  to  be  your  guar- 
deen.  I  don't  know  as  I  have  any  objections,  bein' 
a  business  man  it  will  come  easy  to  me,  and  I  think 
your  father  was  wise  to  seleck  me.  I  am  reddy  to 
receave  you  any  time.  You  will  come  to  Bolton 
on  the  cars.  That  is  eight  miles  from  here,  and 
there  is  a  stage  that  meats  the  trane.  It  wouldn't 
do  you  any  harm  to  walk,  but  boys  ain't  so  active 
as  they  were  in  my  young  days.  The  stage  fare  is 
fifty  cents,  which  I  shall  expect  you  to  pay  yourself, 
if  you  ride. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  '7 

"There  is  one  thing  you  don't  say  anything 
about — how  much  proparty  your  pa  left.  I  hope 
it  is  a  good  round  sum,  and  I  will  take  good  care 
of  it  for  you.  Ennybody  round  here  will  tell  you 
that  John  Fox  is  a  good  man  of  business,  and  about 
as  sharp  as  most  people.  Mrs.  Fox  will  be  glad  to 
see  you,  and  my  boy,  Joel,  will  be  glad  to  have 
some  one  to  keep  him  kompany.  He  is  about  six- 
teen years  old.  You  don't  say  how  old  you  are, 
.but  from  your  letter  I  surmise  that  you  are  as 
much  as  that.  You  will  find  a  happy  united  fam- 
erly,  consistin'  of  me  and  my  wife,  Joel  and  his  sis- 
ter, Sally.  Sally  is  fourteen,  just  two  years  younger 
than  Joel.  We  live  in  a  comfor'able  way,  but  we 
don't  gorge  ourselves  on  rich,  unhelthy  food.  No 
more  at  present.  Yours  to  command, 

"JOHN  Fox." 

Harry  smiled  more  than  once  as  he  read  this 
letter.  When  Mr.  Howard  came  in,  he  handed 
it  to  him. 

"Your  relative  isn't  strong  on  spelling,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Howard,  as  he  laid  the  letter  on  the 
table. 

"No,  sir;  but  he  appears  to  be  strong  in  econ- 


B  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

omy.     It  is  a  comfort  to  know  that  I  shall  not  be 
injured  by  'rich,  unhelthy  food.'  " 

"Do  you  think,  from  the  letter,  that  you  are 
likely  to  get  on  well  with  this  man?"  asked  his 
friend,  with  a  shade  of  anxiety. 

"I  don't  think  I  shall,"  answered  Harry, 
quietly.  "He  must  be  a  great  contrast  to  my  dear 
father." 

"Undoubtedly.  Your  father  was  a  man  of  edu- 
cation and  refinement,  and  it  is  easy  to  see  that  this 
man  has  neither." 

"I  will  give  him  a  fair  trial,  Mr.  Howard.  I 
won't  allow  myself  to  be  prejudiced  in  advance." 

"That  is  right.  When  do  you  mean  to  start  for 
Colebrook?" 

"To-morrow  morning.  I  have  been  looking  at 
a  railroad  guide,  and  I  find  it  will  bring  me  to  Cole- 
brook  in  time  for  supper." 

"We  shall  be  glad  to  have  you  stay  with  us  as 
long  as  possible,  Harry." 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Howard,  I  don't  doubt  that, 
but  the  struggle  of  life  is  before  me,  and  I  may  as 
well  enter  upon  it  at  once." 


FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    STAGECOACH. 

AT  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  conductor 
of  the  train  on  which  Harry  was  a  passenger  called 
out  Bolton. 

Harry  snatched  up  his  carpetbag,  and  made  his 
way  to  the  door,  for  this  was  the  place  where  he 
was  to  take  the  stage  for  Colebrook. 

Two  other  passengers  got  out  at  the  same  time. 
One  was  an  elderly  man,  the  other  a  young  man  of 
twenty-five.  They  appeared  to  be  father  and  son, 
and,  as  Harry  learned  afterward,  they  were  en- 
gaged in  farming. 

"Any  passengers  for  Colebrook?"  inquired  the 
driver  of  an  old-fashioned  Concord  stage,  which 
was  drawn  up  beside  the  platform. 

"There's  Obed  and  me,"  said  the  old  farmer. 
"I  guess  we'd  rather  ride  than  foot  it,  though 
seventy-five  cents  is  pretty  steep  just  for  gittin' 
over  the  ground." 


io  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"  'Tain't  so  steep  as  the  hills  between  here  and 
Colebrook,"  said  the  driver,  chuckling.  "Still,  ef 

you'd  rather  walk " 

"I'm  too  old  to  walk;  but  when  I  was  Obed's 
age  I  wouldn't  have  minded  it." 

"But  I  do,"  said  Obed.  "Time  is  more  valu- 
able than  it  was  in  your  time,  dad." 

"That's  the  way  with  the  young  folks — they  are 
all  for  spending." 

Harry  judged,  from  the  old  farmer's  appear- 
ance that  he  was  not  in  the  habit  of  spending  much 
for  dress.  His  son  was  better  attired. 

"May  I  ride  on  the  seat  with  you?"  asked 
Harry,  of  the  driver. 

"Sartin.     Where  are  you  going?" 
"To  Colebrook." 
"Then  this  is  your  team." 

Harry  climbed  up  with  a  boy's  activity,  and  sat 
down  on  the  broad  seat,  congratulating  himself 
that  he  would  have  a  chance  to  see  the  country,  and 
breathe  better  air  than  those  confined  inside. 

"Jest  hold  onto  the  reins,  while  I  ship  some 
freight  for  the  grocery  store,"  said  the  driver. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  11 

7  his  Harry  was  perfectly  willing  to  do,  having 
a  liking  for  horses. 

Soon  the  driver  sat  down  on  the  box  beside  him, 
and  started  the  horses. 

"You're  a  stranger,  ain't  you?"  he  remarked, 
with  an  inquisitive  glance  at  his  young  traveling 
companion. 

"Yes;  I've  never  been  here  before." 

"Where  do  you  come  from?" 

"From  Ferguson." 

"Never  heard  of  the  place.     Where  is  it?" 

"About  ninety  miles  west  of  here." 

"Sho!  Do  you  intend  to  stay  long  in  Cole- 
brook?" 

"I  don't  know.  It  will  depend  on  how  I  like 
it." 

"Are  you  a  peddler,  or  traveling  salesman,  or 
anything  of  that  sort?" 

"No,"  answered  Harry,  smiling.  "I  may  be 
some  time,  but  I  am  afraid  I'm  too  young  to  get 
such  a  place." 

"Well,  you  do  look  young.  I've  got  a  boy  nigh 
about  as  old  as  you  look." 


li  FACING    THE   WORLD. 

"I  am  sixteen." 

"I  reckoned  about  that.  Arc  you  goin'  to  the 
tavern  ?" 

"No;  I'm  going  to  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Fox. 
Do  you  know  him?" 

"Well,  I  should  smile.  I  reckon  everybody 
round  here  knows  John  Fox." 

"I  don't  know  him.  I  never  saw  him  in  my 
life." 

"Are  you  goin'  to  board  with  him  ?" 

"Very  likely.     He  is  to  be  my  guardian." 

"Shot  You'll  have  a  queer  guardeen.  That's 
all  I  say." 

"Why  queer?" 

"The  fact  is,  old  John'll  cheat  you  out  of  your 
eye  teeth  ef  he  gets  a  chance.  He's  about  the 
sharpest  man  round." 

"He  can't  cheat  me  out  of  much,"  returned 
Harry,  not  especially  reassured  by  this  remark. 
"What  is  the  business  of  Mr.  Fox?" 

"Well,  he's  got  some  land,  but  he  makes  his  liv- 
in'  chiefly  by  tradin'  hosses,  auctioneerin',  and  such 
like." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  13 

"I  suppose  he  is  well  off?" 

"Well,  the  old  man  is  pretty  forehanded.  He's 
allus  gettin'  money  in  one  way  or  another,  and  he 
don't  calc'late  to  spend  much.  They  do  say  he  sets 
about  as  mean  a  table  as  any  in  Colebrook." 

"That  isn't  very  encouraging,"  said  Harry,  "if 
I'm  to  live  there." 

"How  in  thunder  d'you  come  to  app'int  him 
your  guardeen?" 

"My  father  died  recently,  and  Mr.  Fox  is  about 
the  only  relation  he  has  in  America." 

"You  father  didn't  know  much  about  old  John, 
I  reckon?" 

"He  knew  nothing  about  him,  except  that  he 
lived  in  Colebrook,  and  was  pretty  well  off.  What 
sort  of  a  woman  is  Mrs.  Fox?" 

"She's  a  good  match  for  the  old  man.  She's 
about  as  mean  as  he  is.  Once  a  year  the  Sewin' 
Circle  meets  there,  and  my  wife  says — she's  a 
member,  you  know — that  of  all  the  dough  pies  and 
cake  that  she  ever  ate,  Mrs.  Fox's  will  take  the ' 
premium." 

"Mr.  Fox  wrote  me  that  he  had  two  children." 


T4  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

"Yes,  there's  Joel — he's  about  your  age.  He's 
a  chip  of  the  old  block,  red-headed  and  freckled, 
just  like  the  old  man.  I  don't  believe  Joel  ever 
spent  a  cent  in  his  life.  He  hangs  on  to  money  as 
tight  as  ef  his  life  depended  on't." 

"I  am  afraid  he  won't  prove  a  very  agreeable 
companion,  then." 

"Ain't  a  very  pop'lar  boy,  that's  a  fact.  He 
swapped  jackknives  with  my  boy  last  week.  I  told 
Jim  he'd  be  took  in,  and  he  was.  It's  hard  to  git 
ahead  of  Joel." 

"There's  a  girl,  too,  isn't  there?"  asked  Harry, 
anxious  to  know  about  all  the  family. 

"Yes,  Sally." 

"Is  she  pretty?" 

"She  looks  like  her  ma,  except  that  she's  red- 
headed like  her  pa.  She's  pretty  smart  to  work, 
but  she's  as  homely  as  they  make  'em." 

"I'm  glad  to  know  something  of  the  family,  but 
I'm  afraid  I  shan't  enjoy  myself  very  much  among 
the  Foxes." 

"You  ain't  used  to  livin'  with  foxes,  then?"  said 
the  driver,  with  a  grin. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  15 

"No,  nor  with  people  like  them.  By  the  way, 
who  are  the  two  other  passengers?" 

"Elias  Jones  and  his  son,  Obed.  'Lias  is  a 
farmer,  and  pretty  well  off.  He's  got  a  good 
farm,  and  a  few  thousand  dollars  in  bank  stock. 
Obed's  got  a  farm,  too." 

"Are  they  anything  like  my  friends,  the  Foxes?" 

"No;  they're  a  good  sight  better.  Old  'Lias 
don't  spend  money  foolishly — he's  a  careful  man — 
but  he  isn't  mean.  Folks  in  his  house  have  plenty 
to  eat,  and  good,  wholesome  food,  too.  Then  he's 
always  willin'  to  pay  his  share  for  the  church  and 
other  purposes." 

"He  thought  seventy-five  cents  rather  high  stage 
fare?" 

"That's  only  his  joke.  He'd  rather  pay  a  dol- 
lar and  a  half  than  walk." 

"Mr.  Fox  wrote  me  that  he  thought  it  wouldn't 
do  me  any  harm  to  walk  from  Bolton  to  Cole- 
brook,  and  save  the  stage  fare." 

"Jest  like  old  John.  He  grudges  me  my  liv- 
in'." 

"Does  he  ever  ride  with  you  himself?" 


1 6  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"He  always  has  a  horse  of  his  own.  If  he 
hadn't  he'd  walk." 

"I  think  I've  got  my  money's  worth  in  informa- 
tion," said  Harry,  smiling.  "I'm  glad  I  rode  on 
the  box." 

"You're  welcome  to  all  I  can  tell  you.  I'm  sorry 
you're  going  to  live  with  John  Fox,  though." 

"So  am  I,  after  what  you  have  told  me.  As  it 
was  my  father's  wish,  I  shall  give  him  a  trial,  but 
I  shan't  stay  long  if  I  don't  like  him." 

"You'll  soon  get  tired  of  your  new  home,  I 
reckon." 

With  such  conversation  Harry  beguiled  the  way. 
On  the  whole,  he  enjoyed  the  ride.  There  were 
hills,  and  here  and  there  the  road  ran  through  the 
woods.  He  could. hear  the  singing  of  birds,  and, 
notwithstanding  what  he  had  heard,  he  felt  in 
good  spirits.  There  are  times  when  the  young, 
buoyed  by  hope,  fancy  it  is  easy  to  conquer  the 
world.  The  future  looks  rose-colored,  and  success 
seems  certain.  Harry  was  in  such  a  mood.  He 
was  coming  to  an  uncongenial  home  and  among 
sordid,  mean  people,  but  he  did  not  care  for  that. 


FACING   THE   WORLD.  17 

"I  shan't  have  to  live  with  them  any  longer  than 
I  like,"  he  said  to  himself. 

It  is  well  that  youth  is  so  hopeful  and  sanguine. 
There  are  trials  and  difficulties  enough  in  store  in 
most  cases.  Hope  and  courage  make  them  easier 
to  meet,  and  easier  to  overcome. 

At  length  the  stage  entered  the  village  of  Cole- 
brook.  It  was  a  village  of  moderate  size — about 
two  hundred  houses  being  scattered  over  a  tract 
half  a  mile  square.  Occupying  a  central  position 
was  the  tavern,  a  square,  two-story  building,  with 
a  piazza  in  front,  on  which  was  congregated  a  num- 
ber of  villagers.  After  rapidly  scanning  them,  the 
driver  said: 

"Do  you  see  that  tall  man  leanin'  against  a 
post?" 

"Yes." 

"That's  your  guardeen !  That's  John  Fox  him- 
self, as  large  as  life,  and  just  about  as  homely." 


FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   DANGER    SIGNAL. 

THE  man  pointed  out  to  Harry  as  his  guardian 
was  tall,  loosely  puf  together,  with  a  sharp,  thin 
visage  surrounded  by  a  thicket  of  dull-red  hair. 
He  came  forward,  as  Harry  jumped  on  the  ground 
after  descending  from  his  elevated  perch,  and  said: 
"I  reckon  this  is  Harry  Vane?" 

"That  is  my  name,  sir." 

"Glad  to  see  you.  Just  take  your  traps,  and 
come  along  with  me.  Mis'  Fox  will  have  supper 
ready  by  the  time  we  come." 

Harry  was  not,  on  the  whole,  attracted  by  the 
appearance  of  his  guardian.  There  was  a  crafty 
look  about  the  eyes  of  Mr.  Fox,  which  seemed  to 
make  his  name  appropriate.  He  surveyed  his 
young  ward  critically. 

"You're  pretty  well  grown,"  he  said. 

"Yes,  sir." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  19 

"And  look  stout  and  strong." 

"I  believe  I  am  both." 

"My  boy,  Joel,  is  as  tall  as  you,  but  not  so 
hefty." 

"How  old  is  he,  Mr.  Fox?" 

"Close  on  to  sixteen." 

"So  am  I." 

"He's  goin'  to  be  tall,  like  me.  He's  a  sharp 
boy— Joel." 

"Perhaps  he  has  an  advantage  of  me  in  that," 
said  Harry,  smiling. 

"You  look  sharp  enough." 

"Thank  you." 

"I  guess  you  can  wrastle  round  and  make  a  liv- 
in'." 

"I  hope  so." 

"By  the  way,  you  didn't  write  how  much  prop- 
erty your  father  left." 

"No,  I  didn't  think  of  it." 

"It's  really  important,  though,  as  your  guardeen 
I  ought  to  know." 

"After  the  funeral  bills  are  paid,  I  presume 
there'll  be  about  three  hundred  dollars." 


20  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Mr.  Fox  stopped  short  and  whistled. 

"Sho!"  he  exclaimed;  "is  that  all?" 

"There  may  be  a  few  dollars  more." 

"Well,  well,"  said  John  Fox,  in  evident  disap- 
pointment, "I  thought  there'd  be  a  good  deal  more 
— maybe  three  thousand  dollars." 

"Father  hadn't  much  talent  at  making  money," 
said  Harry,  soberly. 

"I  should  say  not.  Why,  that  money  won't  last 
you  no  time  at  all." 

"I  mean  to  make  it  last  a  good  while,  Mr. 
Fox." 

"How?" 

"I  am  old  enough  to  work  for  a  living.  Isn't 
there  something  I  can  find  to  do  in  Colebrook?" 

"We'll  think  of  that,"  said  John  Fox,  surveying 
Harry's  strongly  knit,  though  boyish,  form, 
thoughtfully.  "Have  you  been  used  to  horses?" 

"Father  didn't  own  any  horses,  but  a  neighbor 
of  ours  did,  and  I've  taken  care  of  them  a  week  at 
a  time  when  his  son  was  away." 

"That's  good.  Boys  ought  to  know  about 
,  horses.  We  had  a  city  boy  down  here  last  summer 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  21 

who  was  afraid  of  horses.  He  didn't  dare  to  go 
into  the  stall  with  them." 

"I  don't  think  you'll  find  me  afraid  of  horses. 
Do  you  keep  any?" 

"I  mostly  have  two  or  three  on  hand.  I  do 
considerable  tradin'  horses." 

"Does  your  son  like  horses?" 

"Well,  middlin'.  He's  used  to  drivin'  'em.  He 
ain't  got  such  a  fancy  for  'em  as  I  have.  I  tell 
you  what,  Harry — that's  your  name,  isn't  it?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"I  guess  I  can  give  you  work  myself.  There's 
always  more  or  less  to  do  round  a  place.  I  keep 
a  man  part  of  the  time,  but,  I  reckon  I  can  let  him 
go  and  take  you  on  instead.  You  see,  that  will 
count  on  your  board,  and  you  don't  want  to  spend 
your  money  too  fast." 

"How  much  are  you  willing  to  pay  me,  Mr. 
Fox?" 

"We'll  settle  that  after  a  week,  when  I  see  how 
well  you  work,"  replied  Mr.  Fox,  cautiously. 

"Very  well,  sir.  There's  only  one  thing  I  will 
stipulate;  I  will  wait  a  day  or  two  before  going  to 


22  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

work.     I  want  to  look  about  the  place  a  little." 

"Just  as  you  say,  but  I'd  like  to  get  you  started 
as  soon  as  possible." 

While  this  conversation  was  going  on,  they  had 
traversed  a  considerable  distance.  A  little  dis- 
tance ahead  appeared  a  square  house,  painted  yel- 
low, with  a  barn  a  little  back  on  the  left,  and  two 
old  wagons  alongside. 

"That's  my  house,"  said  John  Fox. 

"Is  it?" 

"Yes,  it  was  the  old  Payson  place.  I  had  a 
mortgage  on  it  which  old  Caleb  Payson  couldn't 
pay,  so  I  took  possession  six  years  ago." 

"And  what  became  of  the  former  owner?" 
asked  Harry. 

"Old  Caleb?  He  died  in  the  poorhouse  last 
year." 

"That  was  a  sad  fate," 

"Well,  he  had  enough  to  eat,  and  didn't  want 
for  nothin'.  I  made  a  pretty  good  bargain,  for 
the  place  was  worth  thirty  per  cent,  more  than  the 
face  of  the  mortgage.  Still,  as  there  was  nobody 
wanted  it  enough  to  bid  more,  I  got  it  for  the  face 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  23 

of  the  mortgage.  There's  twenty  acres  belongs  to 
it." 

"It  seems  as  if  Mr.  Payson  ought  to  have  re- 
ceived the  full  value  of  the  place,"  said  Harry, 
thinking  with  pity  of  the  old  man  who  had  to  leave 
his  old  home  and  live  on  the  town. 

"That's  a  very  unpractical  remark,  Harry 
Vane,"  said  John  Fox,  somewhat  contemptuously. 
"It  shows  you  ain't  used  to  business.  But  here's 
Joel." 

Joel,  a  tall  boy  in  figure,  like  his  father,  here 
came  forward  and  eyed  Harry  with  sharp  curiosity. 

"Harry,  this  is  my  boy,  Joel." 

"Joel,  this  is  Harry  Vane,"  introduced  his 
father. 

"How  are  ye?"  said  Joel,  extending  a  red  hand, 
covered  with  warts. 

"Pretty  well,  thank  you,"  said  Harry,  not  much 
attracted  to  his  new  acquaintance. 

"Here's  Sally,  too!"  said  John  Fox.  "Sally, 
this  is  my  ward,  Harry  Vane." 

Sally,  who  bore  a  striking  family  resemblance  to 
her  father  and  brother,  giggled. 


24  FACING    THE   WORLD. 

"Don't  be  bashful,  Sally.  Shake  hands  with 
the  boy!" 

Sally  extended  her  hand  shyly,  giggling  again. 

"I  leave  you  young  folks  to  get  acquainted,  and 
will  go  into  the  house,  and  see  if  your  mother  has 
got  supper  ready." 

"Ain't  he  nice  lookin',"  said  Sally,  in  an  audible 
aside  to  Joel. 

Harry  heard  the  remark  and  felt  uncomfortable. 
It  was  flattering,  but  compliments  from  a  girl  like 
Sally  Fox  didn't  seem  to  affect  him. 

The  three  young  people  got  better  acquainted 
within  the  next  fifteen  minutes,  when  they  were 
called  to  supper,  but  I  have  a  special  reason  for 
postponing  any  immediate  account  of  their  con- 
ference. Mrs.  Fox,  to  whom  Harry  was  intro- 
duced at  the  supper  table,  was  as  peculiar  in  her 
appearance,  and  as  destitute  of  beauty  as  the  rest 
of  the  family.  She  was  prepared  to  be  very  atten- 
tive to  Harry,  but,  having  learned  from  her  hus- 
band the  moderate  amount  of  his  fortune,  thought 
it  hardly  worth  while  to  be  more  than  coldly  civil. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  25 

The  next  day,  Harry,  feeling,  it  must  be  con- 
fessed, rather  homesick,  declined  Joel's  company, 
and  took  an  extended  stroll  about  the  town.  He 
found  that  though  the  railway  by  which  he  had 
come  was  eight  miles  distant,  there  was  another, 
passing  within  a  mile  of  the  village.  He  struck 
upon  it,  and  before  proceeding  far  made  a  startling 
discovery.  There  had  been  some  heavy  rains, 
which  had  washed  out  the  road  for  a  considerable 
distance,  causing  the  track  to  give  way. 

"Good  heavens!"  thought  Harry,  "if  a  train 
comes  over  the  road  before  this  is  mended,  there'll 
be  a  wreck  and  loss  of  life.  What  can  I  do?" 

Just  across  a  field  stood  a  small  house.  In  the 
yard  the  week's  washing  was  hung  out.  Among 
the  articles  was  a  red  tablecloth. 

"May  I  borrow  that  tablecloth?"  asked  Harry, 
in  excitement,  of  a  woman  in  the  doorway. 

"Land  sakes!  what  for?"  she  asked. 

"To  signal  the  train.  The  road's  washed 
away." 

"Yes,  yes;  I'm  expectin'  my  darter  on  that 
train,"  answered  the  woman,  now  as  excited  as  our 


26  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

hero.  "Hurry  up !  the  train's  due  in  fifteen  min- 
utes." 

Seizing  the  tablecloth,  Harry  ran  back  to  the 
railroad.  He  hurried  down  the  track  west  of  a 
curve  which  was  a  few  hundred  feet  beyond  the 
washout,  and  saw  the  train  coming  at  full  speed. 

He  jumped  on  a  fence  skirting  the  tracks,  and 
waved  the  tablecloth  wildly. 

"Will  they  see  it?"  he  asked  himself,  anxiously. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  27 


CHAPTER  IV. 
A  GOOD  MORNING'S  WORK. 

IT  was  an  anxious  moment  for  Harry  as  he 
stood  waving  the  danger  signal,  uncertain  whether 
it  would  attract  the  attention  of  the  engineer.  It 
did !  The  engineer  though  not  understanding  the 
meaning  of  the  signal,  not  knowing,  indeed,  but  it 
might  be  a  boy's  freak,  prudently  heeded  it,  and 
reversing  the  engine,  stopped  the  train  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  place  of  danger. 

"Thank  God!'*  exclaimed  Harry,  breathing  a 
deep  sigh  of  relief. 

The  engineer  alighted  from  the  train,  and,  when 
he  looked  ahead,  needed  no  explanation. 

"My  boy!"  he  said,  with  a  shudder,  "you  have 
saved  the  train." 

"I  am  glad  of  it,  sir.  My  heart  was  in  my 
mouth  lest  you  should  not  see  my  signal." 

By  this  time  the  passengers,  whose  curiosity  had 


28  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

been  roused  by  the  sudden  halt,  began  to  pour  out 

of  the  cars. 

When  they  saw  the  washout,  strong  men  turned 
pale,  and  ladies  grew  faint,  while  many  a  fervent 
ejaculation  of  gratitude  was  heard  at  the  wonder- 
ful escape. 

"We  owe  our  lives  to  this  boy!"  said  the  engi- 
neer. "It  was  he  who  stood  on  the  fence  and 
signaled  me.  We  owe  our  deliverance  to  this — 
tablecloth." 

One  impressible  lady,  who  had  two  young  chil- 
dren with  her,  threw  her  arms  round  Harry's  neck, 
and  kissed  him,  much  to  our  hero's  embarrassment, 
while  half  a  dozen  gentlemen  shook  hands  with 
him. 

A  small  man,  somewhat  portly,  pushed  his  way 
up  to  Harry 

"What  is  your  name,  my  lad?"  he  asked, 
brusquely. 

"Harry  Vane." 

"Where  do  you  live?" 

"In  Colebrook — at  present." 

"When  did  you  discover  this  washout?" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  29 

"Not  over  ten  minutes  since." 

"And  where  did  you  get  your  signal?" 

"In  the  yard  of  yonder  house,  sir." 

"You  have  shown  wonderful  promptness  and 
presence  of  mind.  Probably  you  don't  know  me." 

"No,  sir." 

"I  am  the  president  and  leading  stockholder  of 
the  road,  and  my  property  has  come  very  near  be- 
ing the  death  of  me.  Gentlemen" — here  the  presi- 
dent turned  to  the  group  of  gentlemen  around  him 
— "don't  you  think  this  boy  deserves  a  testi- 
monial?" 

"Yes,  yes!"  returned  the  gentlemen,  in  chorus. 

"So  do  I,  and  lead  off  with  a  subscription  of 
twenty  dollars." 

"Here's  another  twenty!" 

"And  here's  ten!" 

"Here's  five!" 

So  one  after  another  followed  the  president's 
lead,  the  president  himself  making  the  rounds  bare- 
headed, and  gathering  the  contributions  in  his  hat. 

"Oh,  sir!"  said  Harry,  as  soon  as  he  understood 
what  was  going  forward,  "don't  reward  me  for 


3o  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

what  was  only  my  duty.  I  should  be  ashamed  to 
accept  anything  for  the  little  I  have  done." 

"You  may  count  it  little  to  save  the  lives  of  a 
train  full  of  people,"  said  the  president,  dryly,  "but 
we  set  a  slight  value  upon  our  lives  and  limbs. 
Are  you  rich?" 

"No,  sir." 

"So  I  thought.  Well,  you  needn't  be  ashamed 
to  accept  a  little  testimonial  of  our  gratitude." 

"Let  me  do  my  share,"  said  a  young  lady,  as  she 
dropped  a  bill  into  the  hat. 

"Certainly,  miss.  The  ladies  are  by  no  means 
to  be  slighted." 

When  all  so  disposed  had  contributed,  the  presi- 
dent handed  the  pile  of  bills  to  Harry. 

"Take  them,  my  boy,"  he  said,  "and  make  good 
use  of  them.  I  shall  owe  you  a  considerable 
balance,  for  I  value  my  life  at  more  than  twenty 
dollars.  Here  is  my  card.  If  you  ever  need  a 
friend,  or  a  service,  call  on  me." 

Then  the  president  gave  directions  to  the  engi- 
neer to  run  back  to  the  preceding  station,  where 
there  was  a  telegraph  office,  from  which  messages 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  31 

could  be  sent  in  both  directions  to  warn  trains  of 
the  washout. 

Though  it  has  taken  me  considerable  time  to 
narrate  this  incident,  the  time  consumed  was  very 
brief,  and  Harry  was  left  with  his  hands  full  of 
money,  hardly  knowing  whether  he  was  awake  or 
dreaming 

One  thing  seemed  to  him  only  fair — to  give  the 
owner  of  the  tablecloth  some  small  share  of  the 
money,  as  an  acknowledgment  for  the  use  of  her 
property. 

"Here,  madam,"  said  Harry,  when  he  had  re- 
traced his  steps  to  the  house,  "is  your  tablecloth, 
for  which  I'm  much  obliged.  It  saved  the  train." 

"Well,  I'm  thankful!  Little  did  I  ever  think 
a  tablecloth  would  do  so  much  good.  Why,  it 
only  cost  me  a  dollar  and  a  quarter." 

"Allow  me  to  ask  your  acceptance  of  this  bill  to 
pay  you  for  the  use  of  it." 

"Land  sakes!  why,  you've  given  me  ten  dol- 
lars!" 

"It's  all  right.  It  came  from  the  passengers. 
They  gave  me  something,  too." 


32  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"How  much  did  they  give  you?" 

"I  don't  know  yet,"  answered  Harry,  thinking  it 
unwise  to  gratify  the  curiosity  of  the  good  lady. 

"Did  they  say  this  money  was  for  me?"  she 
asked. 

"No;  but  I  am  sure  they  would  think  you  ought 
to  have  it." 

"Well,  I'm  sure  I'm  very  much  obleeged.  Ten 
dollars !  Why,  I  haven't  hed  so  much  money  in  a 
long  time." 

"You  can  buy  a  new  tablecloth." 

"No,  I  won't;  the  old  one  will  do.  I'll  buy  me 
a  shawl  to  wear  Sundays.  I  haven't  had  one  since 
I  was  married.  You  didn't  tell  me  your  name." 

"My  name  is  Harry  Vane." 

"Do  you  live  round  here?  I  never  heard  the 
name  afore." 

"I've  just  come  to  the  village.  I'm  going  to  live 
with  John  Fox." 

"You  don't  say !     Be  you  any  kin  to  Fox?" 

"Not  very  near.     He's  my  guardian." 

"Sho!  you  don't  say.  Well,  I  hope  you'll  like 
him." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  33 

She  spoke  in  rather  a  dubious  tone.  Harry 
smiled.  He  had  already  made  up  his  mind  on  that 
subject,  but  did  not  care  to  take  a  stranger  into  his 
confidence. 

"I  hope  so,"  he  said. 

"If  he  hears  you've  had  any  money  give  you, 
he'll  want  to  take  care  of  it  for  you." 

This  consideration  had  not  occurred  to  Harry. 
Indeed,  he  had  for  so  short  a  time  been  the  pos- 
sessor of  the  money,  of  which  he  did  not  know  the 
amount,  that  this  was  not  surprising. 

"Well,  good-morning!"  he  said. 

"Good-mornin' !  It's  been  a  lucky  mornin'  for 
both  of  us.  Hadn't  you  better  see  how  much 
money  you've  got?" 

"Not  now.     I'm  in  a  hurry." 

Indeed,  Harry  had  some  curiosity  on  the  sub- 
ject himself.  He  was  not  quite  sure  whether  he 
ought  to  have  accepted  money  for  the  service  he 
had  rendered,  but  then  the  president  of  the  road 
thought  it  right,  and  our  hero  felt  in  his  own  case 
that  he  would  have  liked  to  do  something  for  a 
person  who  had  saved  his  life.  So  he  quieted  his 


34  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

scruples,  and  determined  to  accept  thankfully  what 
had  been  showered  upon  him. 

"I  must  go  somewhere  where  I  can  count  this 
money  unobserved,"  he  said  to  himself. 

Not  far  away  he  saw  a  ruined  shed.  Near  it 
were  the  charred  remains  of  a  house  that  had  been 
consumed.  The  shed  had  not  been  much  inju-red. 

Harry  entered  the  shed,  and  sitting  down  on  a 
log,  took  out  the  bills,  which  he  had  hurriedly 
stuffed  in  his  pocket,  and  began  to  count  them. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  detail  the  counting.  The 
sum  total  is  what  we  want  to  find  out.  It  was 
large  enough  to  amaze  and  gratify  him.  Though 
a  majority  of  the  bills  were  small,  there  were  many 
of  them,  and  the  aggregate  sum  was  two  hundred 
and  eight-nine  dollars  and  fifty  cents. 

The  fifty  cents  had  been  dropped  into  the  hat  by 
a  child. 

Had  Harry  retained  the  ten  dollars  given  to  the 
owner  of  the  tablecloth,  he  would  have  had  within 
fifty  cents  of  three  hundred  dollars. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  35 


CHAPTER  V. 

HARRY'S  SAVINGS  BANK. 

"ALMOST  three  hundred  dollars!"  murmured 
Harry,  joyously.  "It  has  been,  indeed,  a  lucky 
morning  for  me.  It  has  nearly  doubled  my  prop- 
erty." 

The  question  arose  in  his  mind:  "Should  he  give 
this  money  to  Mr.  Fox  to  keep  for  him?" 

Had  his  guardian  been  a  man  like  Mr.  Howard, 
he  would  have  had  no  hesitation  in  giving  this 
windfall  into  his  hands.  But  he  had  formed  a 
poor  opinion  of  John  Fox,  apart  from  the  unfavor- 
able accounts  he  had  heard  of  him,  and  was  begin- 
ning to  be  sorry  he  had  come  into  his  charge. 

"No,"  he  decided,  "I  won't  give  him  this  money. 
I  won't  even  let  him  know  I  have  it."  Where, 
then,  could  he  conceal  it?  He  could  not  very  well 
carry  it  about  with  him  all  the  time.  Moreover,  it 
would  be  dangerous.  If  he  could  put  it  in  a  sav- 


3 6  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

ings  bank,  that  might  answer,  but  should  Mr.  Fox 
learn  that  he  had  a  deposit  anywhere,  he  might,  as 
guardian,  have  power  to  claim  it.  On  the  whole, 
Harry  felt  puzzled  to  know  what  to  do  with  his 
suddenly  acquired  wealth. 

"I  wish  I  ha  afked  the  president  of  the  road  to 
take  care  of  the  money  for  me,"  thougat  Harry. 
"It  would  have  been  safe  in  his  hands." 

Still  undecided,  our  hero  walked  over  to  the 
ruined  house,  and  began  to  look  about  him.  In  one 
corner,  he  noticed  a  little,  leather-covered,  black 
trunk,  not  more  than  a  foot  long,  and  six  inches 
deep,  which  was  apparently  uninjured,  having  been 
rhrown  out  of  a  window.  It  was  locked,  but  a 
small  key  was  in  the  lock. 

An  idea  struck  him.  He  would  convert  this 
miniature  trunk  into  a  cash  box,  and  deposit  his 
wealth  therein.  He  could  no  doubt  conceal  it 
somewhere  afterwards. 

Opening  the  trunk  he  found  it  empty.  The 
lock  seemed  in  good  condition.  He  made  a  pile  of 
the  bills,  and  depositing  them  in  this  receptacle, 
locked  the  trunk  and  put  the  key  in  his  pocket. 


FACING    ^HE    WORLD.  37 

Now  for  a  place  of  concealment. 

Harry  came  out  of  the  shed,  and  looked  scruti- 
nizingly  around  him.  Not  far  away  was  a  sharp 
elevation  surmounted  by  trees.  Without  any  defi- 
nite idea,  Harry,  box  in  hand,  ascended  the  eleva- 
tion, and  from  the  top  had  an  extend  rl  view  of  the 
neighborhood.  This,  however,  was  not  what  he 
wanted.  The  hill  was  of  a  gravelly  formation, 
and  therefore  dry.  At  one  point  near  a  withered 
tree,  our  hero  detected  a  cavity,  made  either  by  acci- 
dent or  design.  Its  location  near  the  tree  made  it 
easy  to  discover. 

"Why  not  hide  the  trunk  here  ?"  he  said  to  him- 
self. 

The  more  he  thought  of  it,  the  more  he  liked  the 
idea.  It  might  not  be  a  good  permanent  hiding 
place,  but  it  would  do  till  he  had  time  to  think  of 
another. 

With  a  little  labor  he  enlarged  and  deepened  the 
hole,  till  he  could  easily  store  away  the  box  in  its 
recess,  then  covered  it  up  carefully,  and  strewed 
grass  and  leaves  over  all  to  hide  the  traces  of  exca- 
vation. 


38  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"There,  that  will  do,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  satis- 
faction/ "Let  Mr.  Fox  find  it  if  he  can." 

He  had  reserved  for  possible  need  fifteen  dol- 
lars in  small  bills,  which  he  put  into  his  pocketbook. 
He  had  been  reduced  to  a  single  dollar  after  de- 
fraying the  expenses  of  his  journey,  but  now  he  felt 
quite  in  funds.  Having  no  further  business  on 
the  hillock,  he  descended  to  the  railway,  and  took 
his  way  homeward,  without  passing  the  scene  of  the 
washout. 

Had  he  done  so  he  would  have  found  his  re- 
spected guardian,  Mr.  John  Fox,  and  quite  a 
large  number  of  the  village  peopl*1  on  the  spot, 
looking  curiously  about  them. 

John  Fox  had  heard  the  news  in  the  postoffice, 
and  had  started  off  at  once  for  the  scene  of  danger. 
He  had  a  keen  scent  for  possible  advantage,  and 
not  being  sure  when  he  started  but  there  had  really 
been  a  smash-up — such  was  the  erroneous  report 
that  had  come  to  the  village — thought  it  possible 
that  he  might  discover  something  thrown  away  by 
terrified  passengers  that  would  be  of  use  to  him. 
I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  he  was  disappointed 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  39 

to  find  that  the  danger  had  been  averted,  but  he 
was,  at  any  rate,  sorry  that  he  was  not  likely  to  be 
repaid  for  his  journey. 

"How'd  they  hear  of  the  washout  ?"he  asked, 
puzzled. 

"I  heerd  that  a  boy  discovered  it,  and  signaled 
the  train,"  said  his  neighbor. 

"A  boy  I     What  boy?" 

"I  didn't  hear  tell." 

"How  did  he  do  it?" 

"Waved  a  shawl,  or  somethin'.  The  engineer 
saw  it,  and  stopped  the  cars." 

John  Fox  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"That  don't  seem  likely,"  was  his  comment; 
"where  would  a  boy  find  a  shawl  ?  He  didn't  wear 
it,  did  he?" 

His  informant  looked  puzzled. 

"Like  as  not  he  borrowed  it  of  Mrs.  Brock,"  he 
suggested. 

Mrs.  Brock  was  the  woman  living  in  the  small 
house  near  by,  so  that  the  speaker's  surmise  was 
correct.  It  struck  John  Fox  as  possible,  and  he 
said  so. 


40  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"I  guess  I'll  go  and  ask  the  Widder  Brock,"  he 
said.  "She  must  have  seen  the  train,  livin'  so  near 
as  she  does." 

"I'll  go  along  with  you." 

The  two  men  soon  found  themselves  on  Mrs. 
Brock's  premises.  The  widow  was  out  in  the  yard, 
hanging  some  clothes  on  the  line. 

"Good-mornin',  Mrs.  Brock,"  said  John  Fox. 
"You've  come  nigh  havin'  a  causality  here." 

This  was  doubtless  meant  for  casualty,  but  Mr. 
Fox  was  not  always  correct  in  his  language. 

"You're  right  there,  Mr.  Fox,"  answered  Mrs. 
Brock.  "I  was  awful  skeered  about  it,  for  I 
thought  my  Nancy  might  be  on  the  train.  When 
the  boy  run  into  my  yard " 

"The  boy!  What  boy?"  asked  Fox,  eagerly. 
It  was  the  same  question  he  had  asked  before. 

"Land  sakes!  don't  you  know?"  asked  Mrs. 
Brock,  in  surprise. 

"How  should  I  know?     I've  only  just  come." 

"Why,  it  was  your  boy." 

"My  boy?  I  left  Joel  at  home.  I  don't  see 
how  he  came  here." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  41 

"It  wasn't  Joel.  It  was  that  boy  you  are  guard- 
ccn  of." 

"What!  Harry  Vane?"  ejaculated  Fox,  in  genu- 
ine surprise. 

"I  don't  know  his  name.  He  didn't  tell 
me." 

"Tell  me  all  about  it,  Mrs.  Brock.  If  it  was  my 
ward,  I  want  to  know  all  that's  took  place." 

"Well,  you  see,  he  ran  into  my  yard  all  out  of 
breath,  and  grabbin'  a  red  tablecloth  from  the  line, 
asked  me  if  I  would  lend  it  to  him.  'Land's  sakes !' 
says  I,  'what  do  you  want  of  a  tablecloth  ?' 

"  'The  track's  washed  away,'  he  said,  'and  I 
want  to  signal  the  train.  There's  danger  of  an 
accident.'  Of  course  I  let  him  have  it,  and  he  did 
signal  the  train,  standin'  on  the  fence,  and  wavin' 
the  tablecloth.  So  the  train  was  saved!" 

"And  did  he  bring  back  the  tablecloth?" 

"Of  course  he  did,  and  that  wasn't  all.  He 
brought  me  a  ten-dollar  bill  to  pay  for  the  use  of 
it." 

"Gave  you  a  ten-dollar  bill !"  exclaimed  John 
Fox,  in  amazement.  "That  was  very  wrong.  I 


42  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

am  his  guardeen,  and  I  can't  allow  him  to  waste 
his  money  in  that  way." 

"You  needn't  trouble  yourself,  John  Fox,"  said 
Mrs.  Brock,  indignantly.  "You  hadn't  no  claim 
on  the  money  if  you  are  his  guardian.  A  collec- 
tion was  took  up  by  the  passengers,  and  given  to 
the  boy,  and  he  thought  I  ought  to  have  pay  for  the 
use  of  the  tablecloth,  so  he  gave  me  a  ten-dollar 
bill — and  a  little  gentleman  he  is,  too !" 

"A  collection  taken  up  for  my  ward?"  repeated 
Fox,  pricking  up  his  ears.  "Well,  well!  that  is 
news.  Do  you  know  how  much  there  was?" 

"No,  he  didn't  tell  me." 

"I  must  look  into  this,"  continued  Fox,  much 
interested.  "Do  you  think  there  was  as  much  as 
thirty  dollars?" 

"Land's  sakes!  how  should  I  know?" 

"If  there  wasn't,  he  shouldn't  have  given  you 
so  much  money.  Ten  dollars  for  the  use  of  an  old 
tablecloth!  The  boy  must  be  crazy!" 

"If  it  had  been  you,  I  wouldn't  have  got  ten 
cents,"  retorted  Mrs.  Brock. 

"A  quarter  would  have  paid  you  well,  widder !" 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  43 

"I  don't  want  any  of  your  quarters,  and  I  hope 
the  boy'll  keep  his  money." 

But  John  Fox  was  already  on  his  way  back  to  the 
road.  He  was  anxious  to  find  his  ward. 


44  FACING    THE   WORLD. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

HARRY  DISAGREES  WITH   HIS  GUARDIAN. 

HARRY  and  his  guardian  met  at  the  dinner 
table.  Mrs.  Fox  had  provided  a  boiled  dinner,  to 
which  Harry  was  ready  to  do  justice,  not  only  on 
account  of  his  long  forenoon  walk,  but  also  be- 
cause the  breakfast,  taken  at  half-past  six,  had  not 
been  palatable.  He  gained  accordingly  in  the 
good  opinion  of  Mrs.  Fox,  who  had  decided  in  the 
morning  that  he  was  dainty,  and  disdained  her 
humble  fare. 

Mr.  Fox  seemed  unusually  pleasant. 

"I  find,  Harry,"  he  said,  clearing  his  throat, 
"that  you  have  already  been  distinguishing  your- 
self." 

His  wife  and  son  both  looked  up  in  surprise. 
They  had  not  heard  of  the  washout,  nor  of 
Harry's  success  in  saving  the  railroad  train. 

"Then  you  heard  of  the  narrow  escape  of  the 
train?"  said  Harry. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  45 

"Yes,  I  heard  that  but  for  your  presence  of  mind, 
and  Mrs.  Brock's  tablecloth,  there  would  have 
been  a  smash-up." 

"What  on  earth  are  you  talkin'  about.  John 
Fox?"  demanded  his  wife,  curiously. 

"Well,  you  see,  Maria,  the  rain  of  last  night 
washed  away  part  of  the  railroad  track,  and  the 
train  would  have  been  plunged  into  a  gully,  if  our  A 
young  boarder  here  hadn't  seen  the  danger,  and, 
borrowin'  a  tablecloth  from  Mrs.  Brock,  signaled 
the  train." 

"You  don't  say?  What  on  earth  was  the  boy 
doin'  out  that  way?" 

"I  was  exploring  the  town,  Mrs.  Fox,"  an- 
swered Harry,  with  a  smile. 

"That  isn't  all,"  resumed  John  Fox.  "The  pas- 
sengers took  up  a  contribution,  and  I  expect  gave 
quite  a  handsome  sum  to  our  young  friend." 

"I  wish  I'd  been  there!"  said  Joel,  enviously. 

"Joel  is  never  in  luck!"  said  his  mother,  in  ac- 
cents of  regret. 

"If  I'd  only  known  there  was  goin'  to  be  an  ac- 
cident," complained  Joel, 


46  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"I  didn't  know,"  Harry  felt  called  upon  to  re- 
mark. 

"No,  it  was  your  luck!"  observed  Mrs.  Fox, 
with  some  asperity.  She  was  a  woman  who  was 
jealous  of  any  good  fortune  falling  to  those  outside 
of  her  own  family  circle.  She  would  have  had  all 
the  rain  fall  on  her  husband's  farm,  if  there  hadn't 
been  enough  to  "go  round."  She  felt  really  ag- 
grieved that  Harry,  instead  of  Joel,  had  had  the 
good  luck  to  save  the  train. 

"How  much  did  the  folks  give  you?"  asked 
Joel,  eagerly. 

"I  was  about  to  ask  that  question  myself,"  said 
his  father,  smoothly. 

This  was  the  question  which  Harry  feared  would 
be  put  to  him.  He  hardly  knew  what  to  say.  He 
did  not  choose  to  give  an  accurate  answer,  and  felt 
justified  in  a  little  evasion. 

"I've  got  fifteen  dollars  left,"  he  replied.  "I 
gave  some  money  to  Mrs.  Brock  for  the  use  of  the 
tablecloth." 

John  Fox  looked  disappointed  and  disgusted. 

J'You  don't  mean  to  say,"  he  ejaculated,  sharply, 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  47 

"that  you  gave  away  almost  half  of  your  money  for 
the  use  of  an  old  tablecloth  that  would  be  dear  at 
a  dollar?" 

"If  I  hadn't  had  the  tablecloth,  I  couldn't  have 
attracted  the  engineer's  attention,"  said  Harry, 
mildly. 

"You  must  be  crazy  to  throw  away  money  like 
that,"  said  John  Fox,  angrily.  "As  your  guardeen, 
I  have  a  right  to  protest  against  it." 

"You  must  remember,  Mr.  Fox,"  said  Harry, 
firmly,  "that  you  are  my  guardian  so  far  as  the 
money  left  me  by  my  father  goes.  This  was  a 
special  windfall." 

"I  should  say  you  needed  a  guardeen  if  you  are 
goin'  to  throw  away  money  in  that  style.  Mrs. 
Fox,  what  do  you  say  to  his  givin'  ten  dollars  for 
the  use  of  an  old  red  tablecloth?" 

"I  say  that  I'd  sell  all  my  tablecloths  for  that 
money.  As  you  say,  the  boy  acted  like  a  fool." 

"A  dollar  would  have  been  handsome — munifi- 
cent," proceeded  Fox,  stumbling  a  little  over  the 
last  word. 

"Ten  cents  would  have  been  enough,"  said  Mrs. 


48  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Fox,  whom  her  best  friends  had  never  credited  with 

liberality. 

"And  you  might  have  given  me  the  rest  of  the 
ten  dollars,"  chimed  in  Joel. 

"To  be  sure!"  said  his  mother.  "You'd  ought 
to  have  thought  of  them  that  live  in  the  same  house 
with  you." 

"When  I  heard  you'd  given  ten  dollars  to  the 
Widder  Brock,"  continued  Mr.  Fox,  "I  con- 
cluded, of  course,  that  you  must  have  received  fifty 
dollars." 

"Twenty-five  would  satisfy  me,"  added  Joel. 

"To  be  sure,  but  railroad  accidents  don't  come 
every  day." 

"I  acted  according  to  my  judgment,"  said  Harry. 

"Then  I  don't  think  much  of  your  judgment — 
that's  all  I  say,"  observed  Mrs.  Fox. 

There  was  a  little  more  conversation  on  the 
subject,  but  Harry  remained  tranquil,  and  did  not 
appear  disturbed  by  the  criticisms  elicited  by  his 
conduct.  He  heartily  hoped  that  his  guardian's 
family  would  not  find  out  how  large  a  sum  he  had 
received. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  49 

When  dinner  was  over,  Harry  was  about  to 
leave  the  house,  when  John  Fox  said,  insinuatingly : 
"Don't  you  think  you'd  better  give  me  that  money 
to  keep  for  you?' 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Fox,"  said  Harry,  "but  I 
think  I  can  take  care  of  it  myself." 

"Fifteen  dollars  is  a  good  deal  of  money  for  a 
boy  like  you  to  carry  round  with  you." 

"I  don't  think  I  shall  lose  it,  sir." 

"Perhaps  not,  but  you  will  be  tempted  to  spend 
it  wastefully." 

"I  don't  think  so,  sir.  I  am  not  rich  enough  to 
venture  to  waste  my  money." 

"I'm  sorry  you  don't  look  at  the  matter  in  the 
right  light,  Harry.  Allow  me  to  remind  you  that 
I  am  your  guardeen." 

"Yes,  sir;  I  am  quite  aware  of  that  fact.  The 
little  property  that  my  father  left  me  will  be  placed 
in  your  hands." 

"Ahem!  It  entitles  me  to  your  earnings,  be- 
sides." 

"I  don't  agreed  with  you,  Mr.  Fox." 

"I  am  considerably  older  than  you  are,  Harry, 


50  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

and  you  can  trust  my  judgment.  You'd  better 
hand  me  the  money." 

"I  must  decline  to  do  so,  Mr.  Fox.  I  will  prom- 
ise you,  however,  to  take  good  care  of  it,  and  not 
waste  it." 

John  Fox  didn't  look  amiable.  He  was  in 
doubt  whether  he  might  not  properly  take  from  his 
ward  the  money  by  force,  but  it  occurred  to  him 
that  it  would  be  better  not  to  assert  his  authority 
quite  so  soon. 

"We  will  speak  of  this  again,"  he  said.  "Think 
over  what  I  have  said,  and  you  will  see  that  I  am 
in  the  right." 

When  Harry  went  out  of  doors,  Joel  followed 
him. 

"I  say,  Harry,"  he  began,  "you're  awful  lucky." 

"I  think  the  passengers  on  the  train  were  awful 
lucky,  as  you  express  it." 

"I  wa'n't  thinkin'  of  them,"  remarked  Joel, 
truly.  "I  say,  now  that  dad's  your  guardian,  that 
makes  you  and  me  sort  of  brothers,  don't  it?" 

"Well,  perhaps  so,"  answered  Harry,  with  a 
smile. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  51 

'And  it  would  be  only  fair  for  you  to  give  me 
half  that  money?" 

Harry  eyed  Joel's  eager  face  curiously,  and 
noticed  the  cupidity  expressed  in  his  eyes.  It  was 
easy  to  see  that  Joel's  organ  of  acquisitiveness  was 
well  developed. 

"Do  you  really  mean  that?"  he  asked. 

"Of  course  I  do.  Brothers  ought  to  divide, 
hadn't  they?" 

"I  am  not  sure  about  that.  Have  you  got  any 
money?" 

"Yes,  I've  got  thirty-five  dollars  in  the  savings 
bank.  It  took  me  an  awful  long  time  to  save  it 
up." 

"Then  if  you'll  give  me  ten  dollars  of  that,  we'll 
each  have  twenty-five.  As  you  say,  brothers  ought 
to  divide." 

"Oh,  now,  you're  jokin'  I"  exclaimed  Joel. 
"That  money  don't  count.  Come,  gimme  five  dol- 
lars, and  I'll  let  you  off  at  that." 

"I  would  rather  not,"  answered  Harry,  quietly. 
"However,  I've  got  a  dollar  of  my  own  besides, 
and  I'll  give  you  that." 


52  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

He  took  the  dollar  bill  from  his  pocketbook  and 
handed  it  to  Joel,  who  seized  it  with  avidity,  and 
speculated  as  to  whether  he  could  not  get  more  out 
of  his  father's  ward  after  a  while. 

"This  is  rather  a  peculiar  family,"  thought 
Harry.  "It  is  well  I  didn't  bring  all  my  money 
home.  I  wonder  how  soon  Mr.  Fox  will  make  an- 
other attempt  to  secure  the  sum  I  have  with  me." 

The  attempt  was  made  that  same  night. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  53 


CHAPTER  VII. 

UP     IN     THE     ATTIC. 

HARRY  was  afraid  he  would  be  expected  to 
occupy  the  same  room  with  Joel,  in  which  case  he 
could  hope  for  no  privacy,  and  would  be  unable  to 
conceal  his  money,  which  he  had  little  doubt  his 
guardian  intended  to  secure,  either  by  fair  means 
or  foul.  It  chanced,  however,  that  Joel  slept  in  a 
small  bedroom  opening  out  of  his  parents'  cham- 
ber. So  Harry  was  assigned  an  attic  room,  in  the 
end  of  the  house,  the  sides  sloping  down  to  the 
eaves.  It  was  inferior  to  the  chambers  on  the  sec- 
ond floor,  but  our  hero  was  not  disposed  to  com- 
plain. He  valued  solitude  more  than  superior 
finish. 

Harry's  suspicion  was  roused  by  the  circum- 
stance that  his  guardian  did  not  again  refer  to  his 
money,  nor  did  he  manifest  any  disappointment  at 
his  ward's  declining  to  intrust  him  with  it. 


54  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"He  is  foxy,"  thought  Harry,  smiling  at  the 
well-worn  joke. 

During  the  evening,  Joel  brought  out  a  back- 
gammon board,  and  proposed  to  Harry  to  play. 
If  there  had  been  anything  to  read  Harry  would 
have  preferred  entertaining  himself  in  that  way, 
but  Mr.  Fox  didn't  appear  ''O  be  literary.  There 
were  a  few  books  in  the  house,  but  they  were  not 
of  an  attractive  character. 

"Have  you  any  stories  in  the  house,  Joel?" 
"asked  Harry,  after  looking  over  the  dreary  assort- 
ment of  volumes. 

"No,"  answered  Mrs.  Fox,  who  had  overheard 
the  question.  "I  don't  think  much  of  story  books. 
They  only  waste  time.  I  never  let  Joel  read 
stories." 

"I  don't  want  to,  mam,"  said  Joel,  dutifully. 

Joel  spoke  the  truth,  for  he  had  no  liking  for 
books  of  any  kind. 

"Did  your  pa  let  you  read  story  books?"  con- 
tlrued  Mrs.  Fox. 

"Yes,"  answered  Harry,  briefly. 

"I  am  surprised  to  hear  it,"  continued  the  lady. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  55 

Harry  did  not  reply.  He  did  not  think  it  would 
be  worth  while  to  get  into  an  argument  with  Mrs. 
Fox,  for  whose  judgment  he  had  very  little  re- 
spect. 

"You  can  play  backgammon  with  Joel,"  said 
Mrs.  Fox,  "unless  you  want  to  read  'Baxter's 
Saints'  Rest,'  or  Dr.  Richardson's  sermons." 

"I  think  I  will  play  backgammon,"  said  Harry. 

Partly  in  backgammon,  partly  in  conversation 
with  the  son  and  heir  of  the  Foxes,  the  time  passed 
till  half-past  eight  o'clock. 

"Joel,  you  can  go  to  bed,"  said  his  mother.  "It 
is  half-past  eight." 

Joel  yawned,  and  interposed  no  objection. 

"You  may  as  well  go,  too,  Henry,"  said  Mrs. 
Fox. 

"My  name  is  Harry,  madam." 

"I  shall  call  you  Henry.  I  consider  Harry  a 
foolish  nickname,"  said  the  lady,  severely. 

Harry  smiled.  It  really  mattered  little  to  him 
what  Mr.  or  Mrs.  Fox  called  him. 

"Mrs.  Fox  is  right,"  said  his  guardian.  "It's 
good  for  a  boy  to  go  to  bed  early;  ma  and  I  go  to 


5  6  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

bed  at  nine.  It  gives  us  a  good  night's  rest.  Be- 
sides, it  saves  candles." 

It  may  be  remarked  that  the  Fox  mansion  was 
illuminated  by  tallow  candles,  probably  on  the 
score  of  economy,  though  at  present  kerosene 
would  probably  be  cheaper  as  well  as  more  satis- 
factory. Every  few  minutes  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  use  a  clumsy  pair  of  snuffers,  such  as  some 
of  my  readers  are  probably  familiar  with.  The 
room  was  so  poorly  lighted  that,  except  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  candle,  it  would  have  been 
found  difficult  either  to  read  or  sew. 

"I  am  ready  to  go  to  bed,  sir,"  said  Harry. 

In  fact,  he  felt  rather  sleepy,  and  anticipated 
little  pleasure  in  sitting  up  in  the' far  from  exciting 
company  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox. 

"Joel,"  said  his  mother,  "take  this  candle  and 
show  Henry  upstairs  in  the  attic  chamber." 

"Yes,  mam." 

So,  preceded  by  Joel,  Harry  went  up  two  flights 
of  stairs  to  the  attic  room  reserved  for  him.  It 
was  the  only  room  that  had  been  finished  off,  and 
the  garret  outside  looked  dark  and  forbidding. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  57 

"I  would  be  scared  to  sleep  up  here,"  said  his 
companion.  "If  you're  afraid,  I'll  ask  mam  to  let 
you  sleep  with  me." 

"I  shall  not  be  at  all  .frightened,  Joel,"  said 
Harry,  hastily.  "Besides,  I  like  to  sleep  alone." 

"I  thought  you  might  be  scared,"  said  Joel. 

"What  should  scare  me?" 

"I  don't  know,  but  it  seems  lonely  and  dark." 

"There  is  no  danger.  If  burglars  break  into 
the  house,  they  will  visit  the  second  floor  first." 

"I  guess  they  won't  come  here.  Dad  keeps  all 
his  money  in  the  bank." 

"You've  got  a  dollar,  you  know,  Joel." 

"Don't  you  tell  dad !  He'd  take  it  away  from 
me,  and  I  want  to  keep  it.  I  might  want  to  spend 
it,  you  know." 

"I  won't  mention  it  if  you  don't  want  me  to." 

"Good-night,  then.  Just  hold  the  candle  while 
I  go  downstairs." 

When  he  was  fairly  all  alone,  Harry  began  to 
look  about  him,  to  ascertain  in  what  kind  of  quar- 
ters he  was  to  pass  the  night.  To  begin  with  he 
examined  the  door,  to  find  out  whether  there  was 


5 8  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

any  way  of  locking  or  securing  it.  He  ascertained 
that  it  was  a  common  latch  door,  and  there  was  no 
lock.  There  was  nothing  to  prevent  anyone  en- 
tering the  room  during  the  night.  There  was  a 
small  cot  bed  in  one  corner,  a  chair  and  an  old 
wooden  chest,  which  probably  contained  articles 
belonging  to  Mrs.  Fox,  perhaps  blankets  or  bed 
linen.  There  was  no  bureau  nor  washstand.  The 
absence  of  the  latter  annoyed  Harry.  He  had 
always  been  in  the  habit  of  washing  himself  as 
soon  as  he  got  out  of  bed. 

"Washing  doesn't  seem  to  be  provided  for  in 
this  house,"  thought  Harry. 

He  learned  afterward  that  he  was  expected  to 
go  downstairs  and  wash  in  a  large  tin  basin  in  the 
kitchen  sink — wiping  his  face  on  a  brown,  roller 
towel  which  was  used  by  the  entire  family.  This 
was  quite  unsatisfactory  to  Harry,  who  was 
scrupulously  neat  in  his  tastes.  His  parents  had 
always  encouraged  this  trait  in  him,  but  it  was  very 
evident  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox  differed  in  many 
respects  from  the  father  and  mother  he  had  been 
so  unfortunate  in  losing  so  early. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  59 

"This  isn't  a  palace  exactly,"  Harry  said  to  him- 
self, as  he  surveyed  his  scantily  furnished  chamber. 
"Luckily  the  bed" — feeling  it — "seems  tolerably 
comfortable.  If  I  can  get  a  good  night's  rest,  I 
won't  mind  the  rest." 

Then  came  the  thought,  "What  was  he  to  do 
with  his  money?"  Perhaps  he  'was  unduly  sus- 
picious, but  he  could  not  help  thinking  that  after 
he  was  asleep  Mr.  Fox  might  pay  him  a  visit,  and 
try  to  secure  by  stealth  what  he  had  refused  to  give 
up.  Now  Harry  was  determined  to  keep  his 
money.  He  felt  that  he  had  the  best  right  to  it, 
and  that  Mr.  Fox,  though  his  guardian,  had  no 
claim  to  it.  Yet  how  could  he  secure  it?  Should 
he  put  it  in  his  pocket,  he  was  convinced  that  this 
would  be  the  very  first  place  in  which  Mr.  Fox 
would  look.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  it  were  not 
found  in  his  pocket,  his  guardian  would  search  in 
every  other  place  that  he  could  think  of,  and  prob- 
ably would  eventually  find  it. 

Now  it  so  happened  that  Harry  was  the  pos- 
sessor of  two  pocketbooks — one,  shabby  and  well 
worn,  which  he  had  failed  to  throw  away  on  buy- 


60  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

Ing  another  just  before  he  left  home.  In  connec- 
tion with  this,  a  scheme  for  outwitting  Mr.  Fox 
came  into  his  mind.  He  folded  up  a  fragment  of 
newspaper,  and  put  it  into  the  old  pocketbook, 
bulging  it  out  till  it  looked  well-filled,  and  this  he 
left  in  the  pocket  of  his  pantaloons. 

"Now  to  hide  the  other,"  said  he  to  himself. 

He  looked  about  the  room  seeking  for  some 
place  of  concealment.  Finally  he  noticed  in  one 
portion  of  the  floor  a  square  board,  which  looked 
as  if  it  might  be  lifted.  He  stooped  over,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  raising  it.  The  space  beneath  was  about 
a  foot  in  depth — the  lower  level  being  the  lathing 
and  plastering  of  the  room  below. 

"That  will  do,"  said  Harry,  in  a  tone  of  satis- 
faction. "I  don't  think  Mr.  Fox  will  find  my 
money  here,"  and  dropping  the  pocketbook  into 
the  cavity  he  replaced  the  square  board.  Then 
he  went  to  bed  and  awaited  results. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  61 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MR.   FOX  IS  DISAPPOINTED. 

WHEN  Harry  had  gone  up  to  his  bed,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fox  naturally  began  to  compare  notes  respect- 
ing him. 

"That  new  boy  rides  a  high  horse,"  said  Mrs. 
Fox,  grimly. 

"So  he  does,"  assented  her  husband. 

"Are  you  going  to  allow  it?" 

"Certainly  not." 

"He  has  had  his  own  way  pretty  much  so  far, 
it  strikes  me." 

"He  hasn't  found  out  what  kind  of  a  man  Jo.hn 
Fox  is,"  remarked  her  husband,  with  an  air  of  >ie- 
termination. 

"I'm  afraid  he'll  have  a  bad  influence  on  Joel." 

"No,  he  won't,  Mrs.  Fox;  I  mean  to  subdue 
him.  I  mean  to  let  him  know  who  is  master  here. 
No  boy  shall  defy  John  Fox." 


62  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

"He  wouldn't  give  up  his  money  to  you,  though 
you  are  his  guardeen." 

"Very  true,  but  I  mean  to  have  it  all  the  same. 
There's  two  ways  of  doin'  things,  Mrs.  Fox.  Of 
course,  I  might  have  taken  the  money  from  him 
by  violence,  but  I'd  rather  get  it  by  strategy." 

"How  are  you  going  to  do  it?"  inquired  his 
wife,  with  some  interest. 

"I  shall  go  up  to  his  bedroom  after  he  is  asleep, 
and  then  it  will  be  the  easiest  thing  in  the  world  to 
take  the  pocketbook  without  his  knowin'  it." 

"He'll  know  it  in  the  mornin'." 

"Let  him !  Possession  is  nine  p'ints  of  the  law, 
Mrs.  Fox." 

"He  might  say  you  stole  it." 

"He  can't  do  that,  for  I'm  his  guardeen,  don't 
you  see?  Oh,  I've  thought  it  all  over,  Mis. 
Fox." 

"He'll  be  apt  to  make  a  fuss,"  said  the  lady, 
thoughtfully. 

"What'll  it  amount  to?  Makin'  a  fuss  won't 
bring  back  the  money.  What  do  you  think  of  my 
plan?" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  63 

"It  isn't  a  bad  one;  but  if  I  was  in  your  place 
I'd  take  it  from  him  by  main  force.  I  would  have 
no  shilly-shally  business  about  it." 

John  Fox  looked  with  some  admiration  at  his 
wife. 

"You'd  ought  to  be  a  man,  Maria,"  he  said. 
"You're  bold  and  resolute,  and  ain't  afeared  of 
anything." 

"Not  even  of  my  husband,"  added  Mrs.  Fox, 
with  elephantine  humor,  smiling  grimly. 

"Well,  no,  there  ain't  no  call  for  you  to  be 
afeared  of  the  partner  of  your  life.  But,  Mrs.  F., 
there's  a  time  to  be  bold  and  a  time  to  be  Foxy," 
and  Mr.  Fox  smiled  in  appreciation  of  the  well- 
worn  joke. 

"Well,  well,  I  shan't  interfere.  I  s'pose  you 
know  your  business  best.  All  I've  got  to  say  is, 
I  wouldn't  let  no  boy  boss  me." 

"No  boy  shall  boss  me,  Mrs.  F.,"  responded 
John  Fox,  loftily.  "My  ward  will  find  that  he 
must  obey  his  guardeen." 

"And  his  guardeen's  wife,"  added  Mrs.  Fox. 

"Of  course,  I  shall  insist  upon  his  treating  you 


64  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

with  proper  respect,  Mrs.  Fox.  Still,  as  he  is  a 
boy,  he  more  properly  comes  under  my  control.  If 
we  should  ever  take  a  girl  into  the  family,  it  would 
be  for  you  to  regulate  her,  and  I  should  stand  aside 
and  not  interfere." 

Mrs.  Fox  was  not  altogether  satisfied. 

"That  sounds  very  well,"  she  said,  "but  I  want 
it  understood  that  this  boy  hez  got  to  observe  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  this  house,  and  I'm  the 
one  that  makes  'em." 

"Oh,  there  won't  be  any  trouble  about  that, 
mam,"  said  John  Fox,  half  impatiently,  for  he  was 
quite  aware  that  his  wife  had  a  will  of  her  own, 
and,  though  he  called  himself  the  master  of  the 
house,  he  was  far  from  controlling  its  mistress. 

A  little  after  ten  Mr.  Fox,  considering  that 
Harry  must  be  sound  asleep,  decided  to  make  him 
a  visit.  He  removed  his  shoes,  and  in  his  stocking 
feet,  candle  in  hand,  began  to  ascend  the  narrow 
nrd  steep  staircase  which  led  to  the  attic. 

"Shall  I  go  with  you,  John?"  queried  his  help- 
meet. 

"No,  I  guess  I  can  manage  to  carry  the  boy's 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  65 

pocketbook,"    responded    Mr.    Fox,    sarcastically. 

"I  didn't  know  but  he  might  resist  you,"  ex- 
claimed Mrs.  Fox. 

"Even  if  he  does,  I  guess  I  am  a  match  for  a 
boy  of  his  size." 

"Well,  have  your  own  way,  then." 

"My  own  way  is  best,  Mrs.  F." 

"That's  what  you  always  say.  If  you  fail  it 
won't  be  my  fault." 

Mr.  Fox  certainly  did  seem  to  be  in  the  right, 
but  his  wife  wanted  to  share  in  the  Qxcitement  of 
the  night  visit.  There  was  something  allu/ing  in 
the  thought  of  creeping  upstairs,  and  removing,  by 
stealth,  the  pocketbook  of  the  new  inmate  of  their 
home. 

Left  to  himself,  Mr.  Fox  pursued  his  way  up 
the  attic  stairs.  They  creaked  a  little  under  his 
weight,  and,  much  to  his  annoyance,  when  he 
reached  the  landing  at  the  top  he  coughed. 

"I  hope  the  boy  won't  hear  me,"  he  said  to  him- 
self. 

He  paused  an  instant,  then  softly  opened  the 
door  of  Harry's  chamber. 


66  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

All  seemed  satisfactory.  Our  hero  was  lying 
quietly  in  bed,  apparently  in  a  peaceful  sleep.  Ordi- 
narily he  would  have  been  fast  asleep  by  this  time, 
but  the  expectation  of  a  visit  from  his  guardian  had 
kept  him  awake  beyond  his  usual  time.  He  had 
heard  Mr.  Fox's  cough,  and  so,  even  before  the 
door  opened,  he  had  warning  of  the  visit. 

Harry  was  not  a  nervous  boy,  and  had  such 
command  of  himself,  that,  even  when  Mr.  Fox 
bent  over,  and,  by  the  light  of  the  candle,  examined 
his  face,  he  never  stirred  nor  winked,  though  he 
very  much  wanted  to  laugh. 

"All  is  safe!  The  boy  is  sound  asleep,"  whis- 
pered Mr.  Fox  to  himself. 

He  set  the  candle  on  the  floor,  and  then  taking 
up  Harry's  pantaloons  thrust  his  hand  into  the 
pockets. 

The  very  first  pocket  contained  the  pocketbook 
which  our  hero  had  put  there.  Mr.  Fox  would 
have  opened  and  examined  its  contents  on  the  spot, 
but  he  heard  a  cough  from  the  bed,  and,  appre- 
hending that  his  ward  might  wake  up,  quickly  put 
the  pocketbook  into  his  own  pocket,  and,  taking  up 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  67 

the  candle,  noiselessly  withdrew  from  the  chamber. 

After  he  was  fairly  gone,  Harry  had  a  quiet 
laugh  to  himself. 

"What  will  the  old  fellow  say  when  he  finds  out 
he  has  been  humbugged?"  said  he  to  himself.  "I 
only  wish  I  could  be  present." 

Mr.  Fox  returned  in  triumph  to  his  own  cham- 
ber, where  his  wife  was  anxiously  waiting  for  him. 

"Have  you  got  it,  Mr.  F.?"  she  asked,  eagerly. 

"Got  it?  Why  shouldn't  I  get  it?"  demanded 
her  husband.  "What  I  undertake,  Mrs.  F.,  I  gen- 
erally carry  through." 

"Oh,  yes;  you're  terrible  smart,  we  all  know. 
Well,  open  it,  and  let  us  see  what  it  contains." 

"Don't  be  impatient,  Mrs.  F.,"  said  her  hus- 
band, tantalizingly.  "There's  plenty  of  time," 
and  he  slowly  drew  out  the  pocketbook,  and  held  it 
in  his  hand. 

"You  ought  to  let  me  have  half  the  money," 
said  Mrs.  Fox. 

"Why  should  I  ?  You  seem  to  forget,  Mrs.  F., 
that  the  money  isn't  mine.  It  belongs  to  my  ward, 
and  it  is  my  duty  merely  to  take  charge  of  it." 


68  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"I  can  take  charge  of  it  as  well  as  you,  I  reckon, 
Mr.  Fox." 

"Perhaps  you  can,  and  then  again  perhaps  you 
can't.  However,  I  will  open  the  wallet." 

This  Mr.  Fox  proceeded  to  do.  But  no  sooner 
did  his  glance  rest  on  the  contents  than  his  lower 
jaw  fell,  and  his  eyes  opened  wide  in  perplexity. 

"Well,  what  are  you  staring  at  like  a  fool?"  de- 
manded his  wife,  who  was  not  so  situated  that  she 
could  see  the  contents  of  the  pocketbook. 

"Look  at  this,  Mrs.  F.,"  said  her  husband,  in  a 
hollow  voice.  "There's  no  money  here — only  this 
piece  of  newspaper." 

"Well,  well,  of  all  the  fools  I  ever  saw  you  are 
about  the  most  stupid!"  ejaculated  Mrs.  Fox. 
"What  you  undertake  you  generally  carry  through, 
do  you  ?  After  all  the  fuss  you Ve  brought  down  a 
pocketbook  stuffed  with  waste  paper." 

"I  don't  understand  it,"  said  Fox,  his  face  as- 
suming a  look  of  perplexity.  "Surely  the  boy  told 
the  truth  when  he  said  he  had  fifteen  dollars." 

"Of  course !  Joel  saw  the  money — a  roll  of  bills, 
and  saw  him  take  them  out  of  his  pocketbook.  He 


FACING    THE    WORLD  69 

must  have  taken  them  out.  Did  you  search  all  his 
pockets?" 

"No;  when  I  found  the  pocketbook  I  thought  I 
was  all  right." 

"Just  like  a  man!"  retorted  Mrs.  Fox.  "I'll 
go  up  myself,  and  see  if  I  can't  manage  better  than 
you." 

"Then  you'd  better  take  this  wallet,  and  put  it 
back  in  his  pocket." 

"Give  it  to  me,  then." 

With  a  firm  step  Mrs.  Fox  took  the  candle,  and 
took  her  turn  in  going  up  the  attic  stairs. 


7o  FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MRS.  FOX  COMES  TO  GRIEF. 

HARRY  confidently  anticipated  a  second  visit  to 
his  chamber.  He  concluded  that  when  Mr.  Fox 
examined  the  purloined  pocketbook,  and  ascer- 
tained the  worthlessness  of  its  contents,  he  would 
try  his  luck  a  second  time.  He  therefore  lay 
awake  and  watchful. 

He  was  rather  surprised  when  the  door  was 
again  opened,  and  Mrs.  Fox  entered.  Opening 
his  eyes  a  little  way,  he  saw  her,  after  a  brief  glance 
at  the  bed,  go  to  the  chair  containing  his  panta- 
loons, and  put  back  the  deceptive  wallet.  She  was 
about  to  prosecute  a  further  search,  when  Harry 
decided  that  matters  had  gone  far  enough.  He 
did  not  fancy  their  night  visits,  and  meant  to  stop 
them  if  he  could. 

Chance  favored  his  design.  A  puff  of  air  from 
the  door,  which  Mrs.  Fox  had  left  wide  open,  ex? 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  71 

tinguished  the  candle,  and  left  the  room,  as  there 
was  no  moon,  in  profound  darkness. 

"Drat  the  candle!"  he  heard  Mrs.  Fox  say. 

Then  a  mischievous  idea  came  to  Harry.  In 
his  native  village  lived  a  man  who  had  passed  a  con- 
siderable time  in  the  wrild  regions  beyond  the  Mis- 
souri River,  and  had  mingled  familiarly  with  the 
Indians.  From  him  Harry  had  learned  how  to 
imitate  the  Indian  war  whoop.  Some  of  my  read- 
ers may  have  heard  such  an  imitation,  and  they  will 
understand  that  it  is  rather  a  startling  sound,  es- 
pecially when  unexpected. 

"I'll  scare  the  old  lady,"  thought  Harry,  smiling 
to  himself. 

Immediately  there  rang  out  from  the  bed,  in  the 
darkness  and  silence,  a  terrific  war  whoop  given  in 
Harry's  most  effective  style. 

Mrs.  Fox  was  not  a  nervous  woman  ordinarily, 
but  she  was  undeniably  frightened  at  the  unex- 
pected sound. 

"Heavens  and  earth,  what's  that?"  she  ejacu- 
lated, and  dropping  our  hero's  clothes,  retreated  in 
disorder,  almost  stumbling  downstairs  in  her  pre- 


72  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

cipitate  flight.  Dashing  into  the  chamber  where 
Mr.  Fox  was  waiting  for  her,  she  sank  into  a  chair 
gasping  for  breath. 

"Good  gracious,  Maria,  what's  the  matter?"  ex- 
claimed her  husband,  gazing  at  her  in  wonder. 

"I — don't — know,"  she  gasped. 

"You  look  as  if  you  had  seen  a  ghost." 

"I  haven't  seen  anything,"  said  his  wife,  recover- 
ing her  breath,  "but  I've  heard  something  terrible. 
Didn't  you  hear  anything,  Mr.  Fox?" 

"No;  the  door  was  shut." 

"It's  my  belief  the  attic  is  haunted,"  said  Mrs. 
Fox,  impressively. 

"Pooh,  nonsense!  you  must  be  crazy." 

"It's  easy  enough  to  say  pooh !  but  if  you  had 
been  in  the  room  you  wouldn't  feel  like  saying  it." 

"Tell  me  all  about  if  "  said  her  husband,  his 
curiosity  aroused. 

"I  went  upstairs  and  put  back  the  wallet,"  said 
his  wife,  "and  was  looking  to  see  if  I  could  find  an- 
other, when  all  at  once  the  candle  went  out,  and  a 
terrible  noise  shook  the  chamber." 

"What  was  it  like,  Mrs.  F.?" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  73 

"I  can't  tell  you.  I  never  heard  anything  like 
it  before.  All  I  know  is,  I  wouldn't  go  up  there 
again  to-night  for  anything." 

"It's  very  strange — I  can't  make  it  out.  Did 
the  boy  sleep  through  it  all?" 

"How  can  I  tell?  The  candle  was  out,  I  tell 
you." 

"Perhaps  he  blew  it  out." 

"Perhaps  you're  a  fool,  Mr.  Fox.  It  wasn't 
near  the  bed,  and  he  was  fast  asleep,  for  I  looked 
at  him.  It  made  me  think  of — of  Peter,"  and 
Mrs.  Fox  shuddered. 

Peter  had  been  taken  from  the  poorhouse  three 
years  ago  by  Mr.  Fox,  and  apprenticed  to  him  by 
the  town  authorities.  According  to  popular  re- 
port he  had  been  cruelly  treated  and  insufficiently 
fed,  until  he  was  taken  sick,  and  had  died  in  the 
very  bedroom  where  Mrs.  Fox  had  been  so  fright- 
ened. This  may  explain  how  it  was  that  a  woman 
so  strong-minded  had  had  her  nerves  so  easily  up- 
set. Though  her  conscience  was  not  especially 
sensitive,  occasionally  there  passed  through  her 
mind  unpleasant  thoughts  of  the  poor  drudge 


74  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

whose  life  she  and  her  husband  had  contributed  to 
make  miserable. 

"We  won't  talk  of  Peter,"  said  Mr.  Fox,  shortly, 
for  to  him,  also,  the  subject  was  an  unpleasant  one. 
"I  suppose  you  didn't  find  another  wallet." 

"No,  I  didn't.  You  can  order  the  boy  to  give  it 
up  to-morrow.  The  best  thing  to  do  now,  is  to  go 
to  bed  and  rest." 

The  breakfast  hour  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Fox 
was  half-past  six.  Harry  was  called  at  six,  and 
was  punctual  at  the  table.  Mr.  Fox  cast  a  suspi- 
cious glance  at  his  ward,  but  the  boy  looked  so  per- 
fectly unconcerned  that  he  acquitted  him  of  any 
knowledge  of  the  night  visit. 

"How  did  you  sleep,  Henry?"  asked  Mrs.  Fox, 

"Soundly,  thank  you,"  answered  Harry,  very 
politely. 

"You  didn't  hear  any — strange  noises,  then?" 

"No;  did  you?" 

"Ahem!  yes,  I  heard  a  peculiar  noise  not  long 
after  you  went  to  bed." 

"It  didn't  wake  me  up,"  said  Harry,  with  truth. 

"The  boy  must  sleep  sound,"  thought  Mrs.  Fox, 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  75 

"for  of  all  the  unearthly  screeching  I  ever  heard, 
that  was  the  worst." 

"Now,  Henry,"  said  Mr.  Fox,  after  breakfast, 
"we  may  as  well  speak  of  our  future  arrange- 
ments." 

"Very  well,  sir." 

"I  take  it  that  with  your  small  inheritance  you 
will  prefer  to  earn  a  part  of  your  living  by  labor?" 

"You  are  right  there,  sir." 

"I  have  considerable  to  do  on  my  twenty  acres 
of  land,  and  I  can  give  you  work  here." 

"What  compensation  do  you  offer,  sir?" 

"Why,  you  see,  you  are  a  boy,  and  of  course  a 
boy  cannot  do  as  much  as  a  man." 

"I  think  I  can  do  as  much  as  some  men,  Mr. 
Fox." 

"Well,  if  you  could,  you  couldn't  get  the  same 
wages.  If  you  work  around  according  to  my  di- 
rections during  the  day,  you  can  have  your  even- 
ings to  yourself,  and  I  will  consider  it  in  your 
board." 

"I  should  like  to  have  you  tell  me  precisely  what 
you  will  allow  me,"  said  Harry,  whom  this  speech 


76  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

did  not  impress  with  a  very  high  idea  of  Mr.  Fox's 
liberality. 

"As  a  boarder  I  should  have  to  charge  you  five 
dollars  a  week  for  your  board,  and  fifty  cents  extra 
for  your  washing — that  would  go  to  Mrs.  Fox;  as 
well  as,  say  twenty-five  cents  a  week  for  your  mend- 
ing. That  also  would  go  to  my  wife.  Now,  if 
you  work  for  me,  I  will  take  off  three  dollars,  mak- 
ing the  charge  to  you  only  two  dollars  and  seventy- 
five  cents  per  week." 

"Don't  you  think,  Mr.  Fox,  that  is  rather  low 
pay  for  my  services  ?  I  can't  afford  to  pay  it.  It 
would  use  up  my  small  inheritance  in  about  two 
years,  not  to  speak  of  my  outlay  for  clothes." 

"I  might  say  two  dollars  and  a  quarter,"  said 
Mr.  Fox,  deliberating. 

Harry  smiled  to  himself.  He  had  not  the  slight- 
est idea  of  working  for  any  such  trifle,  but  he  did 
not  care  to  announce  his  determination  yet. 

"I  will  pay  full  price  for  a  week,  Mr.  Fox,"  he 
said,  "and  during  that  time  I  will  consider  your 
offer." 

"I  may  not  offer  you  as  favorable  terms  a  week 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  77 

from  now,"  said  Fox,  who  wanted  to  get  his  ward 
to  work  at  once. 

"I  will  take  my  chance  of  it,  sir.  I  prefer  to 
have  a  few  days  of  freedom." 

"By  the  way,  Harry,  don't  you  think  you  had 
better  give  me  your  money  to  keep?  You  might 
lose  it." 

"You  are  very  kind,  Mr.  Fox;  but  I  am  not 
afraid  of  losing  it." 

After  breakfast  Harry  went  to  walk.  His  steps 
naturally  tended  to  the  place  where  he  had  left  the 
greater  part  of  his  treasure.  It  was  possible  that 
he  had  been  seen  hiding  it,  and  he  thought  on  the 
whole  it  would  be  better  to  find  another  place  of 
concealment. 

"Joel,"  said  his  mother,  "follow  Henry,  and  see 
where  he  goes.  He  may  be  goin'  to  hide  his 
money.  But  don't  let  him  see  you." 

"All  right,  mam;  I'll  do  it.  I  wish  I  had  fol- 
lowed him  yesterday." 


7 8  FACING   THE   WORLD. 


CHAPTER  X. 

JOEL  AS  DETECTIVE. 

A  POSITION  as  detective  would  have  suited  Joel. 
Whatever  was  secret  or  stealthy  had  a  charm  for 
him.  He  liked  to  pry  into  the  secrets  of  other 
people,  and  had  more  than  once  managed  to  over- 
hear conversations  between  his  father  and  mother 
which  they  had  intended  to  keep  from  him. 

In  the  present  instance  he  managed  to  shadow 
Harry  very  successfully.  The  task  was  made 
easier,  because  our  hero  had  no  idea  that  anyone 
was  following  him.  If  he  had  turned  round  he 
might  have  caught  sight  of  Joel  wriggling  along  in 
such  a  way  as  to  escape  notice. 

"So  he's  goin'  to  the  railroad,"  said  Joel  to  him- 
self, when  Harry's  direction  became  evident. 
"Wonder  if  he  expects  to  stop  another  train.  If 
he  does  he'll  have  to  divide  with  me." 

Arrived  at  the  railroad  track,  Harry's  course  di- 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  79 

verged  to  the  hillock,  at  the  top  of  which  he  had 
concealed  his  treasure. 

"What  in  the  world's  he  goin'  up  there  for?" 
thought  Joel,  puzzled.  "It  won't  do  for  me  to 
foller  him,  or  he'll  see  me  and  smell  a  rat.' 

Joel  posted  himself  at  a  point  where  he  had  a 
good  view  of  the  elevation,  and  could  see  what 
Harry  was  doing.  He  spied  on  general  principles, 
not  expecting  to  make  any  notable  discovery. 
When,  therefore,  he  saw  our  hero  digging  at  a 
particular  spot,  he  concluded  that  he  was  going  to 
hide  the  fifteen  dollars  there.  What  was  his  sur- 
prise and  delight  when  he  saw  him  dig  up  and 
expose  to  view  a  large  roll  of  bills,  evidently  far 
exceeding  in  value  the  small  sum  which  had  ex- 
cited his  cupidity! 

"Oh,  cracky!"  ejaculated  Joel,  "there  must  be  a 
hundred  dollars  in  that  roll  of  bills.  Wouldn't 
dad  open  his  eyes  if  he  saw  it?  Harry's  a  sly  one, 
to  make  us  think  he  had  only  fifteen  dollars.  If  I 
don't  get  some  of  it,  my  name  isn't  Joel  Fox." 

Unconscious  of  observation,  Harry  held  the 
money  in  his  hand  and  deliberated.  Should  he  re- 


8o  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

place  it  in  the  hole  or  find  another  place  of  conceal- 
ment? On  the  whole,  he  decided  upon  the  latter. 
He  reflected  that  some  one  might  find  it,  and,  if  so, 
there  would  be  small  chance  of  his  recovering  it. 
He  put  it  in  his  pocket,  resolved  to  think  over  at 
his  leisure  its  ultimate  place  of  deposit. 

Now,  unfortunately  for  Joel,  just  at  this  moment 
he  slipped  from  his  perch  on  the  branch  of  a  small 
tree,  and  for  about  half  a  minute  what  Harry  did 
was  concealed  from  him.  He  clambered  into  the 
tree  again,  but  only  to  see  Harry  filling  up  the  hole 
again.  This  was  done  so  as  to  avoid  exciting  the 
curiosity  of  anyone  who  might  notice  that  the  earth 
had  been  disturbed. 

"He's  put  it  back,"  thought  Joel.  "Ho,  ho! 
maybe  he'll  find  it  there  when  he  comes  to  look  for 
it  next  time." 

He  didn't  want  Harry  to  catch  sight  of  him 
when  he  descended  from  the  hill,  and  accordingly 
scuttled  away  sufficiently  far  to  escape  suspicion, 
yet  not  too  far  to  lose  sight  of  Harry's  movements. 

Five  minutes  later  Harry  descended  from  the 
hill,  and  bent  his  steps  toward  that  part  of  the 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  gi 

railway  where  the  accident  had  occurred.  Joel, 
who  had  hastened  away  in  a  different  direction, 
went  back  to  the  hill  as  soon  as  he  thought  it  would 
be  safe,  and  eagerly  ascended  it.  He  found  with- 
out difficulty  the  spot  where  Harry  had  been  dig- 
ging. With  the  help  of  a  fragment  of  wood  which 
he  had  picked  up  below,  he  in  turn  began  to  dig 
— his  eyes  glistening  with  expectation  and  cupidity. 

"If  I  find  the  money,"  he  said  to  himself,  "I 
won't  tell  dad.  If  I  did,  he  would  take  it  all',  and 
I  wouldn't  get  a  cent  of  it.  I  know  a  better  way 
than  that.  I'll  keep  it  all  myself,  and  nobody  will 
be  the  wiser.  Harry  won't  know  who's  got  it,  and 
he  won't  dare  to  make  any  fuss.  Won't  I  feel  rich 
with  a  hundred  dollars!  I'll  save  it  all  up,  and 
keep  it  till  I'm  a  man." 

It  was  a  very  pretty  air  castle  that  Joel  was 
building,  and  the  thought  that  he  would  be  virtu- 
ally stealing  money  belonging  to  another  did  not 
trouble  him  in  the  least.  His  conscience  was  not 
remarkably  sensitive,  and  it  only  struck  him  as  a 
very  creditable  piece  of  strategy. 

He  kept  digging,  but  gradually  became  anxious, 


82  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

as    the    expected    treasure    did    not    show    itself. 

"I'm  sure  I  have  dug  deep  enough,"  he  said  to 
himself.  "Can  I  have  got  the  wrong  place?" 

But  no !  there  was  little  doubt  of  that.  He  had 
watched  carefully  the  spot  when  Harry  had  been  at 
work.  Moreover,  the  ground  had  not  been  dis- 
turbed in  any  other  place  near  at  hand. 

"He  must  have  took  the  money  when  I  fell  from 
the  tree,"  thought  Joel,  crestfallen.  -"He's  served 
me  a  mean  trick.  Won't  I  tell  dad,  though,  and 
get  him  into  trouble?  Oh,  no!" 

Meanwhile,  Harry,  not  knowing  how  narrowly 
he  had  escaped  being  robbed,  pursued  his  way  to 
the  railway.  He  had  his  money  in  his  pocket,  but 
he  began  to  feel  the  embarrassment  of  riches.  He 
was  quite  at  a-  loss  to  know  what  to  do  with  it.  To 
keep  it  by  him  in  the  house  of  his  guardian  after  the 
experiences  of  the  previous  night  would  be  hazard- 
ous. Though  he  was  fully  resolved  to  defend  his 
property,  he  was  quite  aware  that  his  guardian  was 
stronger  than  himself,  and  could  take  it  by  force  if 
he  undertook  to  do  so. 

"If  I  were  only  in  my  old  home,"  he  thought, 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  83 

"I  would  ask  Mr.  Howard  to  take  care  of  it  for 
me.  Then  I  should  know  it  was  all  right." 

But  Mr.  Howard  was  a  hundred  miles  away,  and 
that  arrangement  was  hardly  practicable. 

Then  he  thought  of  the  president  of  the  railroad, 
to  whom  he  was  principally  indebted  for  the  money. 

"If  I  could  only  see  him,"  he  thought,  "I  would 
ask  him  to  take  care  of  it  for  me." 

What  was  his  surprise,  when  on  reaching  the  de- 
pot the  first  person  on  whom  his  eyes  fell  was  the 
very  gentleman  of  whom  he  was  thinking. 

"How  do  you  do,  sir?"  said  Harry,  politely. 

"Ah,  my  young  friend  that  saved  the  train!" 
said  the  president,  cordially.  "I  hope  you  haven't 
spent  the  money  you  received  on  riotous  living?" 

"My  living  has  been  far  from  riotous,"  an- 
swered Harry,  smiling.  "At  my  boarding  place 
there  is  very  little  chance  of  my  falling  a  rictim  to 
the  gout.  But,  sir,  I  have  a  favor  to  ask  of  you." 

"Very  well,  my  lad;  what  is  it?" 

"Will  you  take  care  of  my  money  for  me?  I 
don't  want  to  spend  it,  and  I'm  afraid  of  losing  it." 

"How  much  have  you?" 


84  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"I  had  nearly  three  hundred  dollars.  I  should 
like  to  put  two  hundred  and  fifty  into  your  hands." 

"Suppose  I  should  take  a  sudden  flight  to  Can- 
ada?" said  the  president,  jocosely. 

"I  will  take  the  risk  of  that,  sir." 

"Well,  my  boy,  if  you  really  desire  it,  I  will  take 
the  money." 

"I  shall  regard  it  a  very  great  favor." 

No  sooner  said  than  done.  They  went  into  the 
depot,  and  Harry,  counting  out  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  passed  it  over  to  the  president. 

"I  will  give  you  a  receipt  for  it,"  said  the  rail- 
road official. 

"It  isn't  necessary,  sir." 

"It  is  business,"  was  the  brief  reply. 

He  made  out  a  brief  receipt,  signing  it  "Thomas 
Conway,  President  of  the  Craven  County  Rail- 
road," and  Harry  pocketed  it  with  a  feeling  of  re- 
lief. 

"I  will  send  it  to  Mr.  Howard,  and  get  him  to 
keep  it  for  me,"  Harry  decided.  "Then  my  guard- 
ian can't  get  on  the  track  of  it." 

While  he  was  standing  in  front  of  the  depot 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  85 

waiting  for  the  arrival  of  the  eight-thirty  train, 
Joel  came  up. 

"Coin'  a-travelin'  ?"  asked  Joel,  with  a  grin. 

"Not  this  morning." 

"I  wish  I  had  a  hundred  dollars!"  continued 
Joel,  surveying  Harry  sharply. 

"Suppose  you  had,  what  then?" 

"I'd  make  a  journey  out  West.  Say,  Harry, 
did  you  ever  have  a  hundred  dollars  in  your 
pocket?" 

"Yes." 

"Maybe  you've  got  it  now?" 

"Where  should  I  get  it?"  demanded  Harry,  ey- 
ing Joel  sharply  in  his  turn. 

"I  do'no.  Jest  empty  your  pockets,  and  le'me 
see  how  much  you've  got." 

"Thank  you;  I  don't  see  any  use  in  it,"  said 
Harry,  coldly. 

"Youdassent!" 

"Very  well!     Call  it  that." 

"Joel's  been  spying  upon  me.  He  must  have 
seen  me  on  the  hill,"  concluded  Harry.  "It's  welA 
I  gave  most  of  my  money  to  Mr.  Conway." 


86  FACING   THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XL 

MR.   FOX   LEARNS   HARRY'S   SECRET. 

HARRY  had  acted  none  too  soon.  It  happened 
that  his  secret  had  been  discovered  not  only  by 
Joel,  but  by  Joel's  father,  that  very  morning. 

Mr.  Fox  had  been  surprised  that  Harry  had  re- 
ceived so  little,  especially  when  he  considered  how 
large  a  sum  he  had  given  to  Mrs.  Brock.  Men- 
tally he  had  stigmatized  his  ward  as  a  reckless  fool 
to  part  with  so  large  a  proportion  of  his  money. 
Yet  he  had  never  doubted  that  fifteen  dollars  was 
all  that  Harry  had  left,  and,  small  as  it  was,  he 
was  eager  to  get  it  into  his  hands,  as  we  already 
know. 

About  ten  o'clock  Mr.  Fox  had  occasion  to  go 
to  the  village.  In  the  postoffice  he  met  an  ac- 
quaintance from  a  neighboring  town,  with  whom 
he  passed  the  usual  compliments. 

"By  the  way,  Fox,"  said  his  friend,  "I  had  a 
narrow  escape  the  other  day." 


FACING  THE  WORLD.         $7 

"What  was  it,  Pearson?" 

"Came  near  being  smashed  up  on  the  railroad." 

"Where?" 

"Here,  down  by  your  depot.  Didn't  you  hear 
of  the  washout?" 

"Yes.     Were  you  on  the  train  ?" 

"I  was.  There  would  have  been  an  end  of  us 
but  for  a  brave  boy,  who  signaled  the  train  in  time." 

"That  boy  was  my  ward,"  said  John  Fox,  com- 
placently. 

"You  don't  say  so!  Well,  he  was  a  lucky  chap." 

"I  don't  think  so.  He  didn't  get  much  for  his 
bravery.  On  my  word,  I  think  he  was  meanly 
treated." 

"I  don't  see  how  you  can  say  that.  How  much 
money  did  he  get?" 

"Twenty-five  dollars,  and  of  that  he  gave  ten  to 
the  woman  whose  tablecloth  he  borrowed." 

"There's  some  mistake  about  that.  There  must 
have  been  forty  or  fifty  bills  put  into  his  hands, 
and  I  know  that  there  were  two  ten-dollar  bills 
among  them.  I  myself  gave  two  dollars." 

"Is  this  true?"  ejaculated  Fox,  in  amazement. 


8*  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"Just  as  true  as  I'm  standing  here.  If  there 
wasn't  two  or  three  hundred  dollars  I'll  eat  my 
head." 

"The  artful  young  rascal!"  exclaimed  Fox,  in 
virtuous  indignation.  "He  told  me  he  had  only 
fifteen  dollars  left  after  what  he  gave  to  Mrs. 
Brock." 

"Perhaps  he  thought  you  would  take  it  from 
him.  The  boy  was  smart,"  said  Pearson,  laugh- 
ing. 

"You  call  it  smart !  I  call  it  base  and  treacher- 
ous!" said  John  Fox,  very  much  excited. 

"Did  he  give  you  the  fifteen  dollars?" 

"No,  he  didn't.  He  wanted  to  keep  it  him- 
self. As  it  was  a  small  sum,  I  let  him  do  it." 

Mr.  Fox  was  silent  as  to  the  character  of  the 
efforts  he  made  to  secure  the  money. 

"After  all,  the  money  belonged  to  the  boy, 
Fox." 

"I  don't  agree  with  you.  Ain't  I  his  guardeen, 
I'd  like  to  know?" 

"I  won't  deny  it,  though  I  don't  know  anything 
about  it.  I'll  take  your  word  for  it." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  89 

"Then,  of  course,  I'm  entitled  to  his  money," 
continued  Mr.  Fox. 

"To  what  money  was  left  him,  I  admit;  that  is, 
to  keep  in  trust  for  him.  But  this  money  was  dif- 
ferent." 

"No  difference  at  all!  As  his  guardeen  it's  my 
duty  to  take  it  from  him,  and  not  let  him  spend  it 
foolishly,  as  I've  no  doubt  he  would." 

"He  must  have  hidden  it  somewhere." 

"I'll  find  it,  wherever  it  is.  If  that  boy  expects 
to  outwit  John  Fox,  he's  got  to  get  up  pretty  early 
in  the  morning." 

"Have  you  been  appointed  his  guardian?" 

"Well,  no,  not  yet;  but  I  was  his  father's  choice, 
and  of  course  there  won't  be  any  opposition." 

"How  old  is  the  boy?" 

"About  fifteen  or  sixteen." 

"He  might  make  a  different  choice.  The  law 
would  allow  it  in  a  boy  of  his  age." 

"Don't  you  go  to  putting  that  into  his  head," 
said  Mr.  Fox,  uneasily. 

"I  am  not  likely  to  see  him.  Did  his  father 
know  you?" 


90  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"Well,  no;  we  never  met." 

"That  explains  it." 

"Explains  what?"  demanded  Fox,  suspiciously. 

"Oh,  nothing  particular,"  answered  Pearson, 
evasively. 

Mr.  Fox  suspected  that  he  meant  something  un- 
complimentary, but  did  not  'push  the  question. 

"Of  all  the  artful  boys,"  said  Fox  to  himself, 
"this  boy,  Harry,  takes  the  cake.  But  it  won't  do 
him  any  good.  He'll  find  that  John  Fox  is  a 
match  for  him." 

Mr.  Fox  walked  thoughtfully  away.  He  was 
considering  how  he  should  get  hold  of  his  ward's 
money.  It  was  not  a  question  easy  to  answer. 
Evidently  Harry  was  a  boy  who  kept  his  own 
counsel,  and  knew  how  to  take  care  of  himself.  . 

As  Mr.  Fox  was  walking  up  the  road  he  fell  in 
with  Joel. 

"Where've  you  been,  Joel?"  he  asked. 

"Follerin'  Harry,  as  mam  told  me  to." 

"So  she  did.     Well,  where  did  he  go?" 

"To  the  top  of  the  hill  about  five  minutes'  walk 
from  the  depot." 


FACING   THE   WORLD.  91 

"What  did  he  do  there?" 

"What'll  you  give  to  know,  dad?" 

"No  foolin'  with  your  father,  Joel.  Tell  me 
right  away." 

"I've  found  out  something,  dad;  something 
that'll  surprise  you." 

"I  don't  know  about  that.  I've  found  out 
something  myself." 

"This  is  something  important — awful  impor- 
tant. What  do  you  think  he  did  upon  the  hill?" 

"Hid  his  money?"  suggested  Mr.  Fox. 

"You're  mighty  near,  but  you  ain't  right.  He 
dug  it  up.  It  was  hid  there  already." 

"Did  you  see  it?  How  much  was  there?" 
asked  Fox,  eagerly. 

"There  was  a  big  roll  of  bills.  There  must 
have  been  over  a  hundred  dollars." 

Joel  expected  his  father  to  exhibit  astonishment, 
but  in  this  he  was  disappointed.  Mr.  Fox  nodded 
in  a  satisfied  way. 

"Then  that  story  that  Pearson  told  me  was  cor- 
rect," he  said. 

"What  did  he  tell  you?" 


92  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

"He  said  there  was  a  big  collection  made  for 
the  boy  by  the  passengers;  that  it  must  have 
amounted  to  two  hundred  dollars  or  more." 

Joel  whistled. 

"I  guess  it's  so,"  he  replied.  "There  was  a  big 
roll  of  bills  he  took  out  of  a  hole  in  the  ground." 

"What  did  he  do  with  it?" 

"Put  it  in  his  pocket." 

"That's  good.  Then  he's  got  it  with  him  now ; 
eh,  Joel?" 

"Yes,  dad." 

"That  suits  me.  Joel,  I  must  have  that 
money." 

"Will  you  give  me  some,  dad?" 

"What  should  I  give  you  any  for,  I'd  like  to 
know?" 

"Because  I  told  you." 

"You  told  me  what  I  knew  before.  Besides, 
the  money  won't  be  mine.  I'm  to  take  care  of  it 
as  his  guardeen." 

"I  wish  I  was  somebody's  guardeen,"  said  Joel. 

"It  wouldn't  do  much  good.  It's  more  bother 
than  it's  worth." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  93 

"Then  why  don't  you  give  it  up,  dad?"  asked 
Joel,  shrewdly. 

"P'rhaps  I  will  some  time." 

"After  Harry's  money  is  all  gone,"  thought 
Joel. 

"On  the  whole,  Joel,  you  may  as  well  keep  on 
follerin'  Harry  to  see  what  he  does  with  the  money. 
I  want  him  to  keep  it  about  him,  and  I'll  get  hold 
of  it  afore  mornin'." 

"All  right,  dad." 

Joel  turned  back  and  joined  Harry,  who  was 
still  near  the  depot. 

"I  thought  I'd  come  back,"  he  explained.  "If 
I  go  home  the  old  man  will  make  me  work." 

"Have  you  seen  your  father?"  asked  Harry. 

"I  saw  him  up  the  road  a  few  minutes  ago." 

"And  he  put  you  on  my  track,"  said  Harry  to 
himself,  with  a  smile.  "You're-  too  late,  my  young 
friend.  The  money  is  disposed  of." 

Having  nothing  further  to  conceal,  our  hero 
chatted  socially  with  Joel,  who  flattered  himself 
he  was  playing  the  detective  in  creditable  style. 


94  FACING   THE   WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

HARRY  BECOMES  A  PRISONER. 

"JOEL  seems  to  have  a  great  partiality  for  my 
society,"  thought  Harry,  when,  after  dinner,  his 
guardian's  son  continued  to  follow  him  about. 

Our  hero  would  have  been  quite  willing  to  dis- 
pense with  Joel's  companionship,  but,  being  good- 
natured,  he  did  not  feel  like  dismissing  him,  as  he 
would  have  done  had  he  suspected  that  the  boy  was 
acting  as  a  spy  upon  him,  at  his  father's  request. 

Mr.  Fox  said  very  little  to  his  ward  at  the  table, 
but  Harry  felt  that  he  was  eying  him  intently. 

"I  wonder  what  makes  me  so  interesting,"  he 
asked  himself,  half  inclined  to  laugh. 

Mrs.  Fox,  too,  was  very  silent.  She  had 
learned  from  her  husband  the  extent  of  Harry's 
good  fortune,  and  felt  very  indignant  at  the  new 
boy's  evident  intention  of  keeping  the  money  in  his 
own  possession.  On  the  whole,  therefore,  the 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  95 

dinner  party  was  not  very  social.  Joel  alone 
seemed  in  good  spirits,  and  chatted  and  laughed, 
occasionally  glancing  significantly  from  his  father 
to  Harry.  He  was  looking  forward  with  enjoy- 
ment to  the  scene  between  them.,  when  his  father 
demanded  the  money.  He  had  no  doubt  that 
Harry  would  have  to  give  in,  and  while  he  had  no 
particular  dislike  for  our  hero,  he  was  prepared  to 
rejoice  over  his  humiliation. 

After  supper  Harry  was  about  to  leave  the 
room  when  Mr.  Fox  stopped  him. 

"Wait  a  moment,  young  man,"  he  said,  in  a 
commanding  tone. 

"Very  well,  sir,"  returned  Harry,  quietly;  "do 
you  wish  to  speak  to  me?" 

"Yes,  I  do  wish  to  speak  to  you,  Harry  Vane." 

"Aha !  there's  something  in  the  wind,"  thought 
Harry,  and  he  resumed  his  seat. 

"You  have  deceived  me,"  continued  Mr.  Fox, 
severely. 

•Harry  didn't  seem  intimidated,  but  said,  com- 
posedly: "Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  let  me  know 
in  what  manner  I  have  deceived  you?" 


96  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"You  have  concealed  from  me  the  amount  of 
money  you  received  yesterday  for  saving  the  rail- 
road train." 

"I  deny  that,  sir.  I  have  not  told  you,  because 
I  did  not  think  it  was  necessary." 

"Am  I  not  your  guardeen?     I  ask  you  that." 

"Not  yet,  sir." 

"Well,  I  shall  be,  and  that  is  the  same  thing. 
It  is  my  duty  to  take  care  of  your  money." 

"The  money  I  received  for  my  service  yesterday 
was  not  left  me  by  my  father.  It  belongs  to  me, 
and  I  mean  to  keep  it,"  said  Harry,  firmly. 

"We  shall  see  about  that,"  said  John  Fox,  nod- 
ding his  head  with  emphasis.  "We  shall  see  about 
that.  Now,  will  you  answer  the  question  I  am  go- 
ing to  ask  you?" 

"What  is  it,  sir?" 

"How  much  money  did  the  passengers  give 
you?" 

"Almost  three  hundred  dollars,"  answered 
Harry,  composedly. 

"Did  you  ever  hear  the  like!"  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Fox,  in  amazement.  "If  it  had  only  been  Joel." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  97 

"Thunder!"  exclaimed  that  young  gentleman. 
"Well,  you  was  lucky.  No  such  luck  for  me!" 

"It  is  well  you  have  told  me,"  said  John  Fox; 
"not  but  I  knew  before.  I  met  one  of  the  pas- 
sengers to-day,  and  he  gave  me  an  idea  how  much 
it  was.  You  will  please  hand  it  over  to  me,  and 
I  will  take  care  of  it." 

"I  shall  not  be  able  to  comply  with  your  re- 
quest, Mr.  Fox,"-  said  Harry. 

"You  won't,  hey?     And  why  not?" 

"Because  I  have  not  the  money  with  me." 

"I  don't  believe  it.     You  had  it  this  morning." 

"That  is  true,  though  I  don't  know  how  you 
found  out." 

"And  Joel  has  been  with  you  ever  since,  so  you 
haven't  had  time  to  hide  it." 

"So  that  was  the  reason  you  favored  me  with 
your  company,  Joel,"  said  Harry,  with  a  glance  at 
his  guardian's  son. 

Joel  grinned,  but  did  not  speak. 

"Oh,  yes;  I  was  too  sharp  for  you,"  said  John 
Fox,  complacently.  "I've  trapped  you  at  last." 

"I   think  you    are   mistaken,    Mr.    Fox,"    said 


98  FACING   THE   WORLD. 

Harry,  showing  no  signs  of  confusion  or  alarm. 

"All  you've  got  to  do  is  to  hand  over  that  money 
now,  Harry  Vane.  Mind,  I  will  have  it." 

"I  assure  you,  Mr.  Fox,  that  I  haven't  the 
money  with  me." 

"Where  is  it,  then?"  asked  Mr.  Fox,  incredu- 
lous. 

"I  managed  to  put  it  in  a  place  of  security,  in 
spite  of  Joel's  watchfulness." 

"I  shan't  believe  it  unless  you  tell  me  where  it 
is." 

"Did  you  put  it  back  in  the  hole?"  asked  Joel, 
in  eager  curiosity. 

"So  you  were  watching  me  this  morning?  No, 
I  did  not.  If  I  had  you  would  have  seen  me  do 
it." 

"I'm  your  guardeen;  I  ought  to  know  where  the 
money  is,"  said  Fox,  in  a  different  tone,  resorting 
to  finesse. 

"Very  well,  sir,  I  will  give  you  a  clew.  I  have 
put  it  into  the  hands  of  a  gentleman  in  whom  I 
have  confidence,  who  will  take  care  of  it  for 
me." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  99 

"What's  the  man's  name?"  demanded  John 
Fox,  frowning. 

"That  is  my  secret." 

"You  seem  to  forget  that  you  are  only  a  boy, 
.Harry  Vane." 

"No,  I  don't,  sir;  but  I  remember  that  boys 
have  some  rights." 

"You  have  rebelled  against  my  lawful  authority. 
Maria,  what  is  it  my  duty  to  do  with  this  boy?" 

"Lock  him  up!"  answered  \lrs.  Fox,  grimly. 

"A  good  suggestion,  Mrs.  F.  Imprisonment 
may  change  the  boy's  ideas.  He  may  repent  his 
base  conduct." 

"Mr.  Fox,"  said  Harry,  coolly,  "why  are  you  so 
anxious  to  get  hold  of  my  money?" 

"Because  you  are  too  young  to  take  care  of 
it." 

"You  think  it  will  not  be  safe  in  my  hands, 
sir?" 

"Yes,  that  is  what  I  mean." 

"I  don't  agree  with  you.  Still,  the  money  is 
not  in  my  hands,  as  I  have  already  told  you." 

"Where  is  it,  then?"  asked  Fox,  suspiciously. 


ioo  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"I  decline  to  tell  you." 

"John  Fox,  are  you  goin'  to  let  that  whipper- 
snapper  get  the  best  of  you?"  asked  Mrs.  Fox,  in- 
dignantly. "Brace  up  and  be  a  man." 

"There  ain't  no  need  to  tell  me  that,  Maria. 
I'll  show  him  his  duty.  So,  boy,  you  defy  me,  eh?" 

"No,"  answered  Harry,  "I  am  willing  to  submit 
to  proper  authority.  But  you  are  asking  of  me 
what  you  have  no  right  to  do." 

"I  guess  I'm  the  proper  judge  of  that,"  said 
John  Fox,  gathering  courage  from  the  stern  ex- 
pression of  his  wife's  face.  "I  ask  you  once  more, 
will  you  hand  over  that  money?" 

"I  would  prefer  not  to,  Mr.  Fox." 

"That's  no  answer.  Will  you,  or  will  you 
not?" 

"If  you  put  it  that  way,  I  will  not." 

Mrs.  Fox  jerked  her  head  quickly,  and  glared 
at  Harry  with  an  expression  by  no  means  amiable. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  about  it,  Mr.  Fox?" 
she  asked. 

"What  would  you  do,  Maria?"  returned  her 
husband,  apparently  undecided. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  101 

"I  think  it  a  case  where  a  horsewhip  should 
come  into  play." 

Mr.  Fox  glanced  at  his  ward.  On  his  boyish 
face  he  saw  a  look  of  stern  determination  which 
led  him  to  hesitate. 

"It  may  come  to  that,"  he  said,  "but  I'll  try 
somethin'  else  fu'st.  Joel,  get  a  candle." 

Joel  obeyed. 

"Now,  young  man,"  said  Fox,  in  a  tone  of  au- 
thority, "go  up  to  your  chamber  and  stay  there  till 
you're  ready  to  obey  orders.'" 

Harry  hesitated  a  moment,  then  took  the  candle 
quietly  and  went  upstairs.  Mr.  Fox  was  relieved, 
for  he  was  a  little  apprehensive  that  his  ward 
would  prove  rebellious  and  decline  to  obey. 

"You  see,  Maria,"  he  said,  triumphantly,  after 
Harry  had  left  the  room,  "I've  conquered  him." 

"You  haven't  got  the  money!"  rejoined  Mrs. 
Fox,  dryly. 

John  Fox  stole  up  after  his  ward,  and  Harry 
heard  the  door  bolted  on  the  outside. 

He  was  a  prisoner. 


102          FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

HARRY    ESCAPES. 

IF  Mr.  Fox  had  been  wiser,  it  would  have  oc- 
curred to  him  that  it  would  be  more  prudent  to 
wait  till  he  had  actually  received  the  appointment 
of  guardian,  before  he  pushed  his  ward  to  extrem- 
ity. But  he  was  of  a  bullying  disposition,  and  had 
a  good  deal  of  faith  in  his  ability  to  manage  boys. 
Harry  was  inferior  to  him  in  size  and  physical 
strength,  and  he  felt  sure  he  could  subject  him 
to  his  authority  in  time.  He  didn't  know  the  boy 
with  whom  he  had  to  deal.  Our  hero  was  not 
difficult  to  manage  by  an  appeal  to  his  reason,  but 
his  spirit  rose  indignantly  when  anyone  attempted 
to  bully  or  browbeat  him. 

When  he  heard  the  bolt  slide  in  the  lock,  he  said 
to  himself:  "Mr.  Fox  and  I  can  never  agree.  He 
has  not  yet  been  appointed  my  guardian,  and  he 
never  will  receive  the  appointment.  I  have  the 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          103 

right  to  choose  for  myself,  as  Mr.  Howard  told 
me,  and  I  mean  to  exercise  it." 

Some  of  my  readers  may,  perhaps,  picture 
Harry  as  forcing  open  the  door  of  his  chamber, 
and  rushing  from  the  house,  breathing  loud  de- 
fiance as  he  went.  But  he  was  a  sensible  boy,  and 
meditated  nothing  of  the  kind. 

"I  can  wait  till  morning,"  he  reflected.  "I  don't 
think  I  shall  be  here  twenty  hours  hence,  but  I 
mean  to  get  a  good  night's  sleep.  It  will  be  time 
enough  to  decide  in  the  morning  what  I  will  do." 

So,  in  spite  of  his  imprisonment,  Harry  enjoyed 
a  comfortable  night's  sleep,  and  was  awakened  in 
the  morning  by  hearing  his  door  opened. 

Mr.  Fox  entered,  and  sat  down  on  a  chair  by  the 
bed. 

"Good-morning,  sir,"  said  Harry,  composedly. 
"I  hope  you  had  a  good  night's  rest." 

"I  say,  boy,  you've  got  cheek,"  remarked  Fox, 
puzzled.  "You  are  talkin'  as  if  nothin'  had  hap- 
pened." 

"Nothing  has  happened  to  prevent  my  being 
polite,  Mr.  Fox." 


;io4  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Much  you  care  about  my  night's  rest!  Ef  I 
had  acted  as  bad  as  you,  I  couldn't  have  slept  a 
wink." 

"I  slept  very  well,  thank  you,  Mr.  Fox." 

"I  didn't  ask,"  snapped  Fox,  "and  I  don't  care. 
What  I  want  to  know  is,  have  you  made  up  your 
mind  to  do  as  I  told  you  last  night?" 

"About  the  money?" 

"Sartain,  about  the  money." 

"I  prefer  to  keep  it  in  my  own  possession,  if 
that  is  what  you  want  to  know." 

"So  you  ain't  subdued  yet!  I  guess  I'll  have  to 
keep  you  here  a  little  longer." 

"Then  be  kind  enough  to  send  me  up  some 
breakfast." 

"You  don't  deserve  none." 

"Still,  as  I  am  paying  my  board,  I  shall  object 
to  paying  unless  I  get  my  meals  regularly." 

This  consideration  weighed  with  John  Fox,  and 
he  sent  Joel  up  with  a  cup  of  coffee  and  some  dry 
bread,  five  minutes  later. 

"Don't  let  him  get  out,  and  bolt  the  door  after 
you,  Joel,"  said  his  mother. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  105 

"Here's  your  breakfast,  Harry,"  said  Joel,  his 
speckled  face  overspread  with  a  grin. 

"Thank  you,  Joel.  Didn't  you  have  anything 
better  than  that?" 

"Yes,  we  had  sassiges  and  pertaters,  but  dad  and 
mam  are  awful  mad  with  you,  and  mam  says  this 
is  good  enough  for  you." 

"It  will  keep  me  from  starving,  at  least,"  and 
Harry  began  to  dispose  of  his  meager  meal. 

"I  say,  Harry,  you'd  better  give  in.  The  old 
man  is  bound  to  make  you." 

"The  old  man  has  undertaken  a  large  job, 
Joel,"  said  Harry,  quietly. 

"You  don't  mean  to  say  you'll  stick  it  out?" 

"I  think  I  shall." 

"You've  got  spunk!"  said  Joel,  admiringly. 

"Thank  you,  Joel;  so  I  have  when  I  know  I  am 
right." 

"S'pose  dad  should  keep  you  here  a  month?" 

"I  don't  think  he  will.  By  the  way,  Joel,  come 
.  up  here  about  the  middle  of  the  forenoon ;  I  want 
to  say  a  few  words  to  you  in  private." 

"All  right,  I'll  come.     I  must  go  down  now." 


106  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"What  did  he  say,  Joel?"  asked  Mrs.  Fox,  as 
her  son  and  heir  descended  the  stairs. 

"He  asked  if  that  was  all  we  had  for  breakfast, 
mam." 

"Turned  up  his  nose  at  the  breakfast,  hey? 
It's  more'n  he  deserves  after  such  goin's  on." 

"I  wonder  what  he  wants  to  see  me  about?" 
said  Joel,  to  himself. 

Joel  made  a  pretty  shrewd  guess,  and  resolved, 
by  all  means,  to  keep  the  appointment. 

He  was  anxious  to  get  his  father  out  of  the  way, 
but  John  Fox  was  unusually  deliberate  in  his  mo- 
tions. Finally,  about  half-past  nine,  he  left  the 
house  for  the  village.  Mrs.  Fox  went  in  and  out 
about  her  work  as  usual.  She  was  somewhat  sur- 
prised to  find  Joel  remaining  in  the  house  contrary 
to  his  custom. 

"What  makes  you  hang  round  the  house,  Joel  ?" 
she  asked. 

"I've  got  a  little  headache,  mam,"  answered 
Joel,  drawing  down  the  corners  of  his  mouth. 

"Shall  I  mix  you  some  camomile  tea,  Joel?" 

"No,"  answered  Joel,   hastily,  for  he  remem- 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          107 

bered  very  well  the  bitter  taste  of  this,  his  mother's 
sovereign  remedy.  "I  guess  it'll  go  off  bimeby." 

Presently  his  mother  said:  "Joel,  if  you'll  stay 
and  mind  the  house,  I'll  run  over  to  Mrs.  Bean's 
and  borrow  some  sugar;  I  never  thought  to  ask 
your  father  to  get  some.  If  you  was  well,  I'd  ask 
you  to  go  up  to  the  store." 

"I'll  stay  and  mind  the  house,  mam,"  -said  Joel, 
with  avidity. 

His  mother  put  on  her  bonnet,  and  started 
across  a  field  to  her  nearest  neighbor's. 

"Now's  my  time,"  thought  Joel.  "Mam's 
sure  to  get  to  talkin'  with  Mrs.  Bean,  and  stay 
half  an  hour  or  more." 

He  ran  up  the  garret  stairs,  and  drew  the  bolt 
that  held  Harry  captive. 

"Well,  Harry,  I've  come,"  he  said.  "You 
wanted  me  to  come,  you  know." 

"Yes,  Joel." 

"Have  you  got  anything  to  say  to  me?"  said 
Joel,  suggestively. 

"Yes,  Joel,  I  want  you  to  let  me  out  of  this 
place." 


io8          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"Oh,  gracious!"  exclaimed  Joel,  in  apparent 
dismay.  "Dad  would  give  me  the  wu'st  kind  of  a 
lickin'." 

"Would  he  know  how  I  got  out?"  asked  Harry. 

"I  don't  know.  What  are  you  willing  to  give?" 

Harry  saw  that  it  was  merely  a  matter  of  bar- 
gaining, and  finally  prevailed  upon  Joel  to  release 
him  for  a  five-dollar  bill.  Of  course,  more  was 
demanded,  but,  on  the  whole,  Joel  was  satisfied 
with  the  terms  finally  agreed  upon. 

"I  want  the  money  now,"  said  Joel. 

"How  do  I  know  that  you  will  do  as  you  have 
agreed?" 

"Give  me  the  money,  and  I'll  tell  you." 

Harry  passed  over  the  bank  bill,  and  Joel  said: 

"Dad's  gone  to  the  village,  and  mam's  gone 
over  to  Mrs.  Bean's.  All  you've  got  to  do  is  to 
go  downstairs,  and  walk  out." 

Harry  was  by  no  means  slow  to  take  the  hint. 

"Good-by,  Joel,"  he  said,  extending  his  hand; 
"I  won't  forget  the  favor  you've  done  me." 

"Ain't  you  comin'  back?" 

"Not  at  present.     I  find  that  your  father  and  I 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  109 

will  never  agree,  and  I  prefer  to  go  away  some- 
where and  face  the  world  by  myself." 

"I  don't  know  what  dad'll  say.  There'll  be  an 
awful  fuss.  Just  give  me  a  box  on  the  ear,  won't 
you?" 

"What  for?" 

"I'll  tell  dad  you  gave  me  an  awful  clip  on  the 
side  of  the  head,  and  ran  off,  though  I  tried  to  stop 
you." 

"All  right,"  said  Harry,  laughing. 

He  gave  Joel  the  required  box  on  the  ear, 
tripped  him  up,  laying  him  gently  on  his  back  on 
the  landing,  and  then,  with  a  friendly  "good-by," 
he  ran  down  the  stairs,  and  before  Mrs.  Fox  re- 
turned from  her  call  was  a  mile  away. 

She  found  Joel  wiping  his  eyes. 

"What's  the  matter,  Joel?"  she  asked.  "Is 
your  headache  wuss?" 

"Yes,  mam,  and  that  isn't  the  wu'st  of  it." 

"What's  happened?     Tell  me,  quick!" 

"That  boy,  Harry,  called  me  upstairs,  and  got 
me  to  open  the  door.  Then  he  gave  me  an  al- 
mighty clip  on  the  side  of  my  head  that  almost 


i  io          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

stunned  me,  then  he  knocked  me  over,  and  ran  out 
of  the  house  as  fast  as  he  could  run — my  head 
aches  awful!" 

"The  owdacious  young  ruffian!"  ejaculated 
Mrs.  Fox.  "To  beat  my  poor,  dear  Joel  so! 
Never  mind,  Joel,  dear,  I'll  give  you  a  piece  of  pie 
and  some  cake.  As  for  that  boy,  he'll  be  hung 
some  day,  I  reckon!" 

After  eating  the  cake  and  pie,  which  were  luxu- 
ries in  that  frugal  household,  Joel  said  he  felt  bet- 
ter. He  went  out  behind  the  house,  and  taking 
out  the  five-dollar  note,  surveyed  it  with  great  sat- 
isfaction. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  in 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

AN  EXCITING  CHASE. 

WHEN  John  Fox  went  to  the  village  he  usually 
stopped  first  at  the  tavern,  and  invested  ten  cents 
in  a  glass  of  whiskey.  Though  economical  to  the 
verge  of  meanness,  he  generally  indulged  himself 
once  a  day  or  more  in  this  way.  But  for  his  love 
of  money,  he  would  have  gratified  his  taste  oftener. 
So,  in  this  instance^  his  avarice  served  him  a  good 
turn,  and  prevented  his  becoming  a  drunkard. 

He  had  a  little  business  in  the  village,  but  called, 
first,  as  usual,  at  the  tavern.  Here  he  met  two  or 
three  of  his  cronies. 

"Folks  say  you've  got  a  new  boarder,  Fox," 
said  Bill  Latimer,  as  he  laid  down  his  glass  on  the 
counter. 

"Yes,"  answered  Fox,  complacently.  "I'm  his 
guardeen." 

"He's  the  boy  that  saved  the  train,  ain't  he?" 
asked  Latimer. 


ii2  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Yes,  that's  he." 

"Folks  say  he  got  a  pile  of  money  for  doing  it." 

"He  got  a  pretty  stiff  sum,"  answered  Fox,  cau- 
tiously. 

"How  much,  now?" 

"What  do  you  say  to  two  hundred  dollars?" 

"I'd  save  ten  trains  for  that  money?  Do  you 
keep  his  money?" 

"Yes." 

"How  much  property  did  his  father  leave  him?" 

"The  estate  hasn't  been  settled  yet,"  said  Fox, 
who  knew  how  to  keep  his  own  counsel.  "I  can't 
say  how  much  money  there  is." 

"How  did  he  happen  to  apply  to  you?"  asked 
Eben  Bond,  curiously. 

"There's  a  sort  of  relationship  between  us, 
Eben." 

"Is  he  easy  to  manage?"  asked  John  Blake. 

"Well,  some  folks  might  find  trouble  with  him," 
said  Fox,  complacently.  "The  fact  is,  gentlemen, 
I  don't  mind  telling  you  that  he's  been  try'm'  to 
buck  agin'  his  guardeen  a'ready.  Where  do  you 
think  I  left  him?"  continued  Fox,  chuckling. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  113 

"Where?" 

"Up  in  the  attic,  locked  up  in  his  chamber.  I'm 
goin'  to  feed  him  on  bread  and  water  a  while,  just 
to  show  him  what  sort  of  a  man  John  Fox  is." 

A  grin  overspread  the  face  of  Eben  Bond,  who 
had  just  looked  out  of  the  front  window. 

"So  you  left  him  in  the  attic,  hey?"  he  said, 
waggishly. 

"Yes,  I  did.     Do  you  mean  to  say  I  didn't?" 

"I'll  bet  you  a  quarter  he  isn't  there  now." 

"I  know  he  is,  Eben  Bond.  Seems  to  me  you're 
making  a  fool  of  yourself." 

"Maybe  I  am,  but  I'm  willin'  to  bet  he  isn't 
there  now." 

"What  makes  you  say  that?"  asked  Fox,  sus- 
piciously. 

"Oh,  I'm  foolin'.  It  don't  make  any  difference 
what  I  say,"  returned  Eben,  with  a  comical  leer. 

"You  jest  tell  me  what  you  mean,  Eben  Bond!" 
said  John  Fox,  provoked. 

"I  mean  that  I  saw  that  boy  of  yours — I  don't 
know  his  name— go  by  the  tavern  only  two  minutes 
since." 


ii4          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

"Is  that  true?"  gasped  Fox. 

"True  as  gospel !  I  reckon  he's  more'n  a  match 
for  his  guardeen;  hey,  boys?" 

"Where  did  he  go?  In  what  direction?"  de- 
manded Fox,  eagerly. 

"Down  toward  the  river." 

"There  ain't  no  trick  about  it?"  asked  Fox. 

"Ask  Sam  Wallace — he  must  have  met  him." 

Sam  Wallace,  a  stout  young  man,  had  just  en- 
tered the  room. 

"Did  you  meet  my  new  boy,  Sam?"  asked  Fox, 
turning  to  the  newcomer. 

"Yes,  I  met  him  down  the  road  a  piece;  he 
seemed  in  an  awful  hurry." 

"He's  running  away,"  Fox  said  to  himself,  in 
dismay.  "How  in  the  world  did  he  get  out?" 

He  ran  up  the  road,  gazing  anxiously  on  this 
side  and  on  that,  hoping  to  come  upon  the  run- 
away. One  thing  was  favorable ;  it  was  a  straight 
road  with  no  roads  opening  out  of  it  for  at  least  a 
mile  beyond  the  tavern.  It  led  by  the  river  at  a 
point  half  a  mile  on. 

"I'll  catch  him  yet.     He  can't  escape  me!"  Fox 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  115 

reflected,  his  courage  beginning  to  return.  "When 
I  get  hold  of  him  I'll  handle  him  pretty  rough. 
He'll  find  he  can't  cut  any  of  his  didos  on  me." 

"Have  you  seen  a  boy  up  the  road?"  he  asked 
of  Georgie  Foster,  a  small  boy,  whom  he  met. 

"Yes,"  answered  Georgie,  carelessly. 

"Who  was  it?" 

"It's  the  boy  that's  livin'  at  your  house — I  don't 
know  his  name." 

"Thank  you,  Georgie !  That's  a  nice  boy.  I'll 
give  you  a  cent  some  time." 

"Hadn't  you  better  give  it  to  me  now?"  asked 
Georgie,  shrewdly. 

"I  haven't  got  any  now.     Where  did  he  go?" 

"I  guess  he  went  down  to  the  river." 

John  Fox  pushed  on  breathless,  and  a  minute 
later  came  in  sight  of  the  fugitive. 

Harry  had  sobered  down  to  a  walk,  thinking 
himself  no  longer  in  danger.  If  Mr.  Fox  had 
been  wise  enough  to  keep  silent  till  he  had  come 
within  a  few  rods  he  might  have  caught  him  easily, 
but  excitement  and  anger  were  too  much  for  pru- 
dence, and  he  called  out,  angrily:  "Just  wait  till 


u6  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

I  get  hold  of  you,  you  young  villain !  I'll  give 
you  a  lesson." 

Harry  turned  quickly  and  saw  the  enemy  close 
upon  him. 

That  was  enough.  He  set  out  on  what  the  boys 
call  a  dead  run,  though  he  hardly  knew  in  what  di- 
rection to  look  for  a  refuge.  But  through  the 
trees  at  the  west  side  of  the  road  he  caught  sight 
of  something  that  put  new  hope  into  his  heart. 
It  was  a  boat,  floating  within  three  feet  of  shore. 
In  it  sat  a  boy  of  about  his  own  age.  It  was 
Willie  Foster,  a  brother  of  Georgie. 

There  was  no  time  for  ceremony.  Harry 
sprang  into  the  boat,  and,  seizing  an  idle  oar, 
pushed  out  into  the  river. 

The  owner  of  the  boat,  who  had  been  thought- 
fully gazing  into  the  water,  looked  up  in  surprise. 

"Well,  that's  cool!"  he  ejaculated. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  Harry,  still  plying 
the  oar;  "I  couldn't  help  it;  Mr.  Fox  is  after 
me." 

"What's  he  after  you  for?" 

"I'll  tell  you  presently.     There  he  is  I" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  117 

John  Fox,  by  this  time,  stood  on  the  river  bank 
shaking  his  fist,  with  a  discomfited  expression,  at 
his  intended  victim. 

"Come  back  here!"  he  shouted. 

"Thank  you,  I  would  rather  not,"  answered 
Harry,  still  increasing  the  distance  between  him- 
self and  his  guardian. 

"You,  Willie  Foster,  row  the  boat  back!" 
bawled  John  Fox. 

"Is  your  name  Willie  Foster?"  asked  Harry, 
turning  to  his  companion,  who  was  looking,  with  a 
puzzled  expression,  from  one  to  the  other. 

"Yes." 

"Then,  Willie,  if  you  will  help  me  row  over  to 
the  other  side  of  the  river  and  set  me  off  there, 
I'll  give  you  a  dollar." 

"I'll  do  it,"  said  Willie,  seizing  the  other  oar, 
"but  you  needn't  give  me  any  money." 

To  his  intense  disgust,  Fox  saw  the  boat,  pro- 
pelled by  the  two  boys,  leaping  forward  energetic- 
ally, while  he  stood  helplessly  on  the  bank. 

The  other  bank  was  half  a  mile  away,  and  could 
not  be  reached  except  by  a  bridge  a  considerable 


n8  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

distance  away.  The  two  boys  said  little  until  the 
trip  was  accomplished. 

"I  hope  you  won't  get  into  any  trouble  with  Mr. 
Fox,"  said  Harry,  as  they  drew  near  the  bank. 

"I  don't  care  for  old  Fox,  and  father  doesn't 
like  him,  either.  Why  are  you  running  away?" 

Harry  told  him  in  a  few  words. 

As  he  got  out  of  the  boat  he  pressed  a  dollar 
into  Willie's  reluctant  hand. 

"Don't  be  afraid!  I've  got  plenty  more!" 
said  Harry.  "Now,  which  way  had  I  better  go?" 

"Take  that  footpath.  It  will  lead  to  Medfield. 
There  you  can  take  the  cars." 

"Good-by,  Willie;  and  thank  you." 

Willie  didn't  row  back  immediately.  John  Fox 
was  lying  in  wait  on  the  other  side,  and  he  didn't 
care  to  meet  him. 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          119 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  MAGICIAN  OF  MADAGASCAR. 

HARRY  pushed  on  till  he  reached  a  highway. 
He  felt  in  doubt  as  to  where  it  might  lead  him, 
but  followed  it  at  a  venture.  He  wondered  whether 
John  Fox  would  pursue  him,  and  from  time  to 
time  looked  back  to  make  sure  that  his  guardian 
was  not  on  his  trail.  In  about  three  hours  he 
found  himself  eight  miles  away.  Then,  for  the 
first  time,  he  felt  that  it  might  be  safe  to  stop  and 
rest.  In  a  village  a  little  way  back  he  had  entered 
a  bakeshop  and  purchased  some  rolls  and  a  glass  of 
milk,  which  he  ate  with  a  good  relish. 

He  resumed  his  walk,  but  had  not  gone  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  when  he  heard  the  noise  of  wheels, 
which,  on  coming  up  with  him,  came  to  a  halt. 

"Shall  I  give  you  a  lift?"  said  the  driver  of  the 
team. 

Looking  up,  he  saw  that  it  was  a  covered  wagon 


120          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

with  four  wheels,  such  as  is  often  to  be  met  in 
New  England  towns.  The  man  who  held  the 
reins  was  of  large  frame  and  portly,  with  dark 
hair  and  whiskers.  He  might  be  about  forty-five 
years  of  age. 

"If  you  prefer  riding  to  walking,  my  young 
friend,  jump  in !" 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Harry.  "I  do  prefer  it 
at  the  present  moment,  for  I  am  getting  tired." 

"I'm  sorry  I  didn't  overtake  you  before.  I'm 
sociable,  and  like  some  one  to  talk  to." 

"Perhaps  your  horse  isn't  sorry,"  suggested 
Harry,  with  a  smile. 

"Oh!  he  won't  mind  your  weight.  When  you 
get  to  my  weight  it  will  make  a  difference.  Where 
are  you  bound,  if  you  don't  mind  my  being  inquisi- 
"ive?" 

"I  don't  know,"  answered  Harry,  doubtfully. 

"Don't  know!  Well,  that  is  curious.  Don't 
you  live  round  here  ?" 

"No;  my  home  is  a  hundred  miles  away." 

"You  ain't  goin'  West  to  kill  Indians,  are  you?" 
inquired  his  companion,  jocosely. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  121 

"No;  I'm  willing  the  Indians  should  live.  The 
fact  is,  I'm  seeking  my  fortune,  as  they  say." 

"Well,  you  ought  to  find  it,"  returned  the  other, 
after  a  deliberate  survey  of  his  young  companion. 
"You're  well  built,  and  look  healthy  and  strong. 
Have  you  got  any  money?" 

"A  little.  My  father  died  lately  and  left  me 
three  hundred  dollars.  He  recommended  to  me 
as  guardian  a  man  named  John  Fox,  living  eight 
miles  back.  Well,  I  have  tried  Mr.  Fox.  and  I 
prefer  to  be  my  own  guardian." 

"I've  heard  of  John  Fox.  He's  fox  by  name, 
and  fox  by  nature.  So  you  and  he  didn't  hitch 
horses?" 

"Not  at  all." 

"When  did  you  leave  him?" 

"This  morning.  I  don't  know  but  I  may  say 
that  I  am  running  away  from  him,  as  I  left  with- 
out his  knowledge  or  permission,  but  as  he  is  not 
yet  my  legal  guardian,  I  don't  consider  that  he  has 
any  right  to  interfere  with  me." 

"Tell  me  what  sort  of  a  time  you  had  with  him, 
if  you  don't  object." 


122  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Upon  this  Harry  gave  a  graphic  account  of  his 
experiences,  as  already  detailed.  His  companion 
seemed  very  much  amused,  and  laughed  repeat- 
edly. 

"That's  very  clever,"  he  said.  "You  outwitted 
the  old  man  nicely.  There'll  be  apt  to  be  a  circus 
when  they  find  out  how  you  got  away." 

"I  don't  believe  they  will  find  out.  Joel  will  be 
cunning  enough  to  invent  some  story." 

"I  should  like  to  be  there  to  see  how  they  cut 
up." 

"I  wouldn't,"  said  Harry.  "I  don't  care  to  set 
eyes  on  any  of  the  family  again.  There !"  he  sud- 
denly exclaimed, — "I've  forgotten  something." 

"What  is  it?" 

"I'm  owing  Mr.  Fox  for  board." 

"How  long  have  you  been  with  him?" 

"About  two  days." 

"Then  it  can't  be  much." 

"I'll  mail  a  letter  from  the  first  place  that  is  far 
enough  to  be  safe,  and  inclose  five  dollars." 

"That's  too  much  for  two  days." 

"I  will  pay  the  week's  board.     I  won't  give  him 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  123 

any  reason  to  charge  me  with  dishonesty.  Then 
we  shall  be  even,  and  I  needn't  think  of  him 
again." 

"Perhaps  you  are  right.  You  haven't  told  me 
your  name  yet." 

"My  name  is  Harry  Vane." 

"A  good  name.     Who  do  you  think  I  am?" 

"You  may  be  Gen.  Miles,"  answered  Harry, 
smiling,  "but  I  don't  think  you  are." 

"I  am  not,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge.  I  am 
the  Magicia'n  of  Madagascar.  You  may  have 
heard  of  me." 

"I  don't  think  I  have,"  said  Harry,  puzzled. 

The  magician  looked  slightly  disconcerted. 

"I  have  been  before  the  public  for  many  years," 
he  said.  "I  give  magical  entertainments,  and,  in 
the  course  of  the  last  twenty  years,  have  traveled 
all  over  the  continent." 

"You  see,"  explained  Harry,  apologetically,  "I 
have  always  lived  in  a  small  country  town,  \vhere 
there  were  few  amusements,  and  so  I  know  very 
little  of  such  things.  I  never  saw  a  magical  en- 
tertainment in  my  life." 


I24  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Didn't  you,  indeed?  Then  you  shall  see  me 
perform  to-night.  I  am  to  give  a  magical  soiree 
in  Conway,  the  town  we  are  coming  to." 

"I  should  like  it  very  much,  Mr.  "  and 

Harry  paused  in  doubt. 

"I  am  called  Prof.  Hemenway — Hiram  Hem- 
cnway,"  said  the  magician.  "I  was  raised  in  New 
England,  and  by  parents  tried  to  make  a 
farmer  of  me.  But  it  was  of  no  use.  The  public 
needeci  me,  and  I  became  what  you  see." 

The  professor  spoke  complacently.  He  evi- 
dently considered  himself  a  man  of  considerable 
importance. 

"Do  you  like  your  business?"  asked  Harry, 
curiously. 

"Why  shouldn't  I?  I  have  a  chance  to  travel. 
The  people  appreciate  my  efforts,  and  reward  me 
generously.  I've  called  down  a  few  thousands,  I 
can  assure  you,  my  young  friend." 

"I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it,  Prof.  Hemen- 
way." 

"Money  isn't  to  be  despised,  my  young  friend, 
and  I  earn  it  in  a  pleasant  way." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  125 

By  a  fortunate  accident  Harry  happened  to  turn 
in  his  seat  and  look  through  a  small  window  in  the 
back  part  of  the  wagon.  What  he  saw  startled 
him.  In  a  buggy,  ten  rods  back,  he  recognized  his 
late  guardian  and  Joel.  They  were  making  good 
speed,  and  were  doubtless  in  pursuit  of  him. 

Harry  quickly  imparted  his  discovery  to  his 
companion. 

"Don't  let  him  capture  me !"  he  said. 

"I  should  like  to  see  him  do  it,"  responded  the 
professor.  "Get  into  the  back  part  of  the  wagon, 
and  crouch  down/' 

Harry  did  as  directed. 

Then  the  professor  slackened  his  speed,  and  al- 
lowed the  pursuers  to  overtake  him. 

"I  say,  stranger,"  said  Fox,  as  he  drew  up 
alongside. 

"All  right,  my  friend,  go  ahead  and  say  it!" 
observed  the  professor,  blandly. 

"A  boy  ran  away  from  me  this  morning.  Per- 
haps you  have  seen  him?" 

"Perhaps  so.     Is  he  your  son?" 

"No,  I'm  his  guardeen." 


126          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"Why  did  he  run  away?  Did  you  ill  treat 
him?" 

"Certainly  not.  He  wouldn't  obey  my  rightful 
authority." 

"I  saw  a  boy  about  a  mile  back,"  said  the  magi- 
cian, reflectively,  "a  stout,  good-looking  lad,  dark- 
brown  hair,  and  a  pleasant  expression ;  didn't  look 
at  all  like  you." 

"Why  should  he?  Didn't  I  say  he  was  not  my 
son?"  said  Mr.  Fox,  appearing  annoyed. 

"I  chatted  with  him  a  while.  He  said  he  was 
leaving  a  man  who  claimed  to  be  his  guardian,  but 
wasn't." 

"The  young  liar!"  ejaculated  Fox,  wrathfully. 
"Where  is  he  now?" 

"Is  he  in  your  wagon  ?"  put  in  Joel,  sharply. 

"If  he  were  you'd  see  him,  wouldn't  you?"  said 
Prof.  Hemenway. 

"In  behind  you?" 

"Yes,  are  you  kidnapping  him?"  demanded 
Fox,  fiercely. 

"There  is  a  boy  in  the  back  of  my  wagon,"  said 
the  magician,  coolly.  "If  you  ain't  afraid  of 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  127 

smallpox,  you  may  see  him.  Which  shall  it  be, 
you  or  the  boy?" 

A  pallid  hue  overspread  the  face  of  John  Fox, 
which  was  increased  by  an  agonizing  moan,  which 
appeared  to  proceed  from  behind  the  magician. 

"Turn  the  horse,  Joel !"  was  all  he  said. 

He  whipped  up  his  horse  without  a  word,  and 
did  not  pull  up  for  half  a  mile. 

"You  can  come  out  now,  Harry,"  said  the  pro- 
fessor, with  a  queer  smile.  "I  am  a  ventriloquist, 
and  that  moan  did  the  business." 


128  FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

A    NEW   ENGAGEMENT. 

HARRY  was  not  a  little  relieved  at  his  narrow 
escape.  He  did  not  propose  to  be  taken  captive 
without  making  a  stout  resistance,  but  still,  in  a 
struggle  with  Mr.  Fox  and  Joel,  he  felt  that  he 
would  be  considerably  at  a  disadvantage. 

"I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  saving  me,  Prof. 
Hemenway,"  he  said. 

"You  are  quite  welcome.  So  you  didn't  like  old 
Fox?" 

"Not  much." 

"He  doesn't  appear  to  like  you  any  better." 

"There  isn't  much  love  lost  between  us,"  re- 
turned Harry,  laughing. 

"How  do  you  like  the  boy?" 

"He  served  me  a  good  turn — for  five  dollars — 
but  he  would  help  capture  me  for  the  same  money, 
or  less." 

"You  seem  to  know  him." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  129 

"He  is  fond  of  money,  and  would  do  almost 
anything  for  it." 

uYou  thanked  me  for  saving  you  from  capture, 
my  lad,"  continued  the  magician.  "Well,  I  had 
an  object  in  it — a  selfish  object." 

Harry  looked  puzzled. 

"It  struck  me  that  I  needed  a  boy  about  your 
size,  and  character,  for  a  general  assistant,  to  sell 
tickets,  take  money  and  help  me  on  the  stage. 
How  do  you  like  the  idea?" 

"I  like  it,"  answered  Harry,  "but  there  is  one 
objection." 

"What  is  that?" 

"I  don't  come  from  Madagascar,"  responded 
Harry,  slyly. 

Prof.  Hemenway  laughed. 

"You've  been  as  near  there  as  I  have,"  he  said. 
"Did  you  really  think  I  came  from  Madagascar?" 

"You  look  more  as  if  you  came  from  Maine, 
sir." 

"You've  hit  it !  That's  where  I  did  come  from. 
I  was  raised  twenty-five  miles  from  Portland,  on  a 
farm.  But  it  would  never  do  to  put  that  on  the 


130  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

bills.  People  are  ready  to  pay  more  for  im- 
ported than  for  native  curiosities.  However,  to 
come  to  business.  I  had  a  young  man  traveling 
with  me,  who  wasn't  suited  to  the  business.  He 
was  a  dry  goods  clerk  when  I  took  him,  and  is  bet- 
ter adapted  to  that  business  than  to  mine.  He  left 
me  last  week,  and  I've  been  in  a  quandary  about 
his  successor.  How  much  do  you  consider  your 
time  worth?" 

"Just  at  present  it  isn't  worth  much.  If  you 
will  pay  my  traveling  expenses,  that  will  satisfy 
me." 

"I  will  do  better  than  that.  I  will  give  you  five 
dollars  a  week  besides,  if  business  is  good." 

"Thank  you,  sir.  I  think  I  shall  enjoy  travel- 
ing." 

There  are  few  boys  who  do  not  like  change  of 
scene,  and  the  chance  of  seeing  new  places  is  at- 
tractive to  nearly  all.  Harry  was  decidedly  of 
opinion  that  he  had  a  streak  of  luck.  It  would  be 
much  better  in  all  ways  than  living  with  his  late 
guardian,  and  working  for  partial  board. 

As  they  approached    the    village    of    Conway, 


FACING    THE    WORLD.    .       131 

Harry's  attention  was  drawn  to  a  variety  of  post- 
ers, setting  foth,  in  mammoth  letters,  that  the 
world-renowned  Magician  of  Madagascar  would 
give  a  magical  soiree  at  the  Town  Hall  in  the 
evening.  Tickets,  fifteen  cents;  children  under 
twelve  years,  ten  cents.  The  posters,  further- 
more, attracted  attention  by  a  large  figure  of  the 
professor,  dressed  in  bizarre  style,  performing  one 
of  his  tricks. 

"That  draws  attention,"  observed  the  professor, 
"particularly  among  the  boys.  I  think  I  shall 
have  a  hall  full  this  evening.  An  audience  of 
three  hundred  will  pay  very  well.  My  expenses 
are  light.  I  do  most  of  my  traveling  in  this 
wagon,  and  at  hotels  I  get  the  usual  professional 
reduction." 

"Did  it  take  you  long  to  learn  the  business?" 

"I  have  been  learning  all  along.  Every  now 
and  then  I  add  a  new  trick.  I  will  teach  you 
some." 

"I  might  leave  you  and  set  up  on  my  own  hook 
when  I  have  learned,"  suggested  Harry,  with  a, 
smile, 


132  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"It  will  be  some  time  before  you  look  old 
enough  for  a  magician.  When  you  are  I'll  give 
you  my  blessing,  and  send  you  out." 

Meanwhile  th^y  had  been  jogging  along,  and 
were  already  in  the  main  street  of  Conway.  The 
professor  drew  up  in  front  of  the  village  hotel, 
and  a  groom  came  forward  and  took  his  horse. 

"Wait  a  minute,  my  friend,"  said  the  profes- 
sor. "Harry,  you  can  help  me  take  my  imple- 
ments out  of  the  back  of  the  wagon." 

These  "implements"  were  of  a  heterogeneous 
character,  but  all  would  come  in  use  in  the  even- 
ing. A  number  of  boys  watched  their  transfer 
with  mingled  awe  and  curiosity. 

"What's  them?"  Harry  heard  one  ask  another, 
in  a  half-whispered  tone. 

"Those,"  said  the  professor,  in  an  impressive 
tone,  turning  toward  the  boys.  "Those  are  para- 
phernalia !" 

The  boys  looked  more  awestruck  than  ever. 
All  inwardly  resolved  to  go  to  the  Town  Hall  that 
evening,  and  get  a  nearer  view  of  the  articles  which 
had  such  a  grand  name. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  133 

After  a  while  Harry  came  downstairs  from  the 
room  assigned  him,  and  stood  on  the  piazza. 

One  of  the  boys  drew  near  him  cautiously. 

"Are  you  the  magician's  son?"  he  asked. 

"No,"  answered  Harry,  smiling. 

"Do  you  come  from  Madagascar?" 

"I  have  not  been  there  recently." 

"Are  all  the  people  there  magicians?" 

"Not  quite  all." 

This  information  was  rather  scanty,  but  it  was 
whispered  about  among  the  boys,  the  first  boy 
boasting  that  he  had  a  talk  with  the  young  magi- 
cian. If  Harry  had  heard  himself  called  thus,  he 
would  ha\*e  been  very  much  amused. 

.  Directly  after  supper  Harry  went  with  his  em- 
ployer to  assist  in  preparing  the  stage  for  the 
evening  performance.  Though  a  novice,  he  ac- 
quitted himself  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employer, 
who  congratulated  himself  on  having  secured  so 
efficient  an  assistant.  Half  an  hour  before  the 
performance  he  stationed  himself  in  the  entry,  pro- 
vided with  tickets.  He  sat  at  a  small  table,  and 
received  the  crowd.  Though  new  to  the  business 


i34  FACING    THE    WORLD, 

he  managed  to  make  change  rapidly.  He  found 
his  position  one  in  which  he  had  a  chance  to  study 
human  nature. 

An  old  lady  entered  with  a  brutish-looking  boy 
as  large  as  Harry. 

"Gimme  a  whole  ticket  and  a  half,"  she  said 
offering  a  quarter. 

"Who  is  the  half  ticket  for?"  asked  Harry, 
with  a  glance  at  the  boy. 

"For  my  grandson  here.  Did  you  think  'twas 
for  me?"  demanded  the  old  lady,  aggressively. 

"Is  your  grandson  under  twelve?"  asked  Harry, 
with  a  smile. 

"Can't  you  let  him  in  for  ten  cents?" 

"I  am  sorry,  but  it's  contrary  to  orders." 

"It's  real  mean,  I  vow  'tis!  Timothy,  I  guess 
you'll  have  to  go  home." 

"No,  I  won't!"  said  the  boy.  "If  anybody's 
goin'  home,  it  ought  to  be  you,  granny.  What 
does  an  old  woman  like  you  want  to  see  the  show 
for,  anyway?" 

This  proposal,  however,  did  not  suit  the  grand- 
mother. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  13 j 

"I'll  give  you  the  extra  five  cents  to-morrow," 
she  said  to  Harry. 

"That  won't  do,  madam.  Please  stand  aside, 
as  others  are  waiting." 

Finally,  after  a  great  deal  of  grumbling,  the  old 
lady  managed  to  discover  a  three-cent  piece  and 
two  pennies,  which  she  tendered  to  the  young  ticket 
seller,  and  this  removed  all  difficulties.  But  Tim- 
othy, who  was  provoked  at  Harry's  inflexible  re- 
fusal to  let  him  in  for  a  half  ticket,  launched  a 
farewell  shot  at  the  young  financial  agent. 

"I'd  lick  you  for  a  cent!"  he  said,  scowling. 

"I  don't  allow  any  boy  under  twelve  to  lick  me," 
returned  Harry,  quietly. 

This  answer  provoked  a  laugh  among  the  crowd 
in  the  entry,  and  Timothy,  reddening  with  morti- 
fication, slunk  in  after  his  grandmother. 


136          FACING   THE   WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

HARRY   IN   A    NEW   ROLE. 

DURING  the  evening  Harry  was  called  upon  to 
assist  the  professor  in  some  of  his  tricks.  Some 
boys  would  have  been  embarrassed  upon  finding 
themselves  objects  of  general  attention,  but  Harry 
was  by  temperament  cool  and  self-possessed.  He 
had  been  fond  of  declamation  at  school,  and  this 
had  accustomed  him,  to  some  extent,  to  a  public 
appearance. 

The  entertainment  was  in  two  parts,  with  an  in- 
termission of  ten  minutes 

"I  wish  you  were  a  singer,"  said  the  professor, 
when  they  were  standing  behind  the  screen. 

"Why?"  asked  Harry. 

"Because  the  audience  sometimes  gets  impatient 
during  the  intermission.  If  I  could  put  you  on  for 
a  song,  it  would  help  quiet'them." 

"I  can  sing  a  little,"  said  Harry,  modestly. 

"What  can  you  sing?" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  137 

"How  would  'The  Last  Rose  of  Summer,'  do?" 

"Capitally.     Can  you  sing  it?" 

"I  can  try." 

"You  are  sure  you  won't  break  down?  That 
would  make  a  bad  impression." 

"I  can  promise  you  I  won't  break  down,  sir." 

"Then  I'll  give  you  a  trial.  Are  you  ready  to 
appear  at  once?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Wait,  then,  till  I  announce  you." 

The  professor  came  from  behind  the  screen, 
and.  addressing  the  audience,  said:  "Ladies  and 
gentlemen,  lest  you  should  find  the  necessary  inter- 
mission tedious,  I  am  happy  to  announce  that  the 
young  vocalist,  Master  Harry  Vane,  has  kindly 
consented  to  favor  you  with  one  of  his  popular 
melodies.  He  has  selected,  by  request,  'The  Last 
Rose  of  Summer.'  " 

Harry  could  hardly  refrain  from  laughing  when 
he  heard  this  introduction. 

"One  would  think  I  was  a  well-known  singer," 
he  said  to  himself. 

He   came   forward,   and,   standing  before  the 


138  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

audience,  with  his  face  a  little  flushed,  made  a 
graceful  bow.  Then,  pausing  an  instant,  he  com- 
menced the  song  announced.  He  had  not  sung 
through  two  lines  before  the  professor,  who  waited 
the  result  with  some  curiosity  and  some  anxiety, 
found  that  he  could  sing.  His  voice  was  high, 
clear  and  musical,  and  his  rendition  was  absolutely 
correct.  The  fact  was,  Harry  had  taken  lessons 
in  a  singing  school  at  home,  and  had  practiced 
privately  also,  so  that  he  had  reason  to  feel  con- 
fidence in  himself. 

The  song  was  listened  to  with  earnest  attention, 
and  evident  enjoyment  by  all.  When  the  last 
strain  died  away,  and  Harry  made  his  farewell 
bow,  there  was  an  enthusiastic  burst  of  applause, 
emphasized  by  the  clapping  of  hands  and  the 
stamping  of  feet. 

"You  did  yourself  proud,  my  boy!"  said  the 
gratified  professor.  "They  want  you  on  again." 

This  seemed  evident  from  the  noise. 

"Can't  you  sing  something  else?'* 

"Very  well,  sir." 

Harry  was  certainly  pleased  with  thii  evidence 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  13$ 

of  popular  favor.  He  had  never  before  sung  a 
solo  before  an  audience,  and,  although  he  had  felt 
that  he  could,  he  was  glad  to  find  that  he  had  not 
overestimated  his  powers. 

Once  more  he  stood  before  the  audience. 

"I  thank  you  for  your  kindness,"  he  said.  "I 
will  now  sing  you  a  comic  song." 

He  sang  a  song  very  popular  at  that  time,  the 
words  and  air  of  which  were  familiar  to  all.  While 
it  did  not  afford  him  so  good  a  chance  to  show  his 
musical  capacity,  it  was  received  with  much  greater 
favor  than  the  first  song. 

There  was  a  perfect  whirlwind  of  applause,  and 
a  third  song  was  called  for. 

"I  would  rather  not  sing  again,  professor,"  said 
Harry. 

"You  needn't.  They  would  keep  you  singing 
all  the  evening  if  you  would  allow  it.  Better  leave 
off  when  they  are  unsatisfied." 

"Ladies  and  gentlemen,"  he  said,  "Master  Vane 
thanks  you  for  your  kind  applause,  but  he  makes  it 
an  unvarying  rule  never  to  sing  but  two  songs  in 
an  evening.  He  never  broke  over  that  rule  but 


1 40          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

once,  and  that  was  at  the  special  request  of  the 
governor-general  of  Canada.  I  shall  now  have 
the  pleasure  of  performing,  for  your  amusement, 
one  of  my  most  popular  experiments." 

"I  wonder  when  I  sang  before  the  governor- 
general  of  Canada  ?"  thought  Harry,  amused. 
"My  new  employer  seems  to  be  a  man  of  vivid 
imagination." 

When  he  asked  the  professor,  after  they  re- 
turned to  the  hotel,  the  magician  answered :  "My 
dear  boy,  we  can't  get  along  without  a  little  hum- 
bug. The  people  like  it,  and  if  you  don't  indulge 
in  it,  you  can't  keep  up  with  your  competitors." 

"But  suppose  that  they  find  out  that  I  was  never 
in  Canada?" 

"How  are  they  going  to  find  out?  Even  if 
they  did,  they  would  only  laugh.  You  know  that 
Barnum  has  been  a  colossal  humbug  all  his  life, 
but  everybody  likes  him,  and  he  never  fails  to 
please  the  people.  Well,  you  have  pleased  the 
people,  and  that  is  the  main  point.  By  Jove !  my 
boy,  you've  got  a  lovely  voice." 

"I  am  glad  you  think  so,  sir." 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          141 

"You  will  prove  a  very  valuable  addition  to  my 
entertainment.     I  mean  to  show  my  appreciation, 
too.     How  much  did  I  agree  to  give  you?" 
"Five  dollars  a  week  if  business  was  good." 

"It's  bound  to  be  good.  I'll  raise  your  wages 
to  ten  dollars  a  week,  if  you'll  agree  to  sing  one 
song,  and  two,  if  called  for,  at  each  of  my  even- 
ing entertainments." 

"I'll  do  it,  sir,"  said  Harry,  promptly.  "It's 
a  surprise  to  me,  though,  to  find  my  voice  so  valu- 
able to  me." 

"It's  a  popular  gift,  my  boy;  and  all  popular 
gifts  are  valuable.  When  I  get  my  new  bill 
prfnted,  I  must  have  your  name  on  it." 

They  left  Conway  about  noon  the  next  day. 
During  the  forenoon,  Harry,  in  walking  through 
the  village  street,  found  himself  an  object  of  at- 
tention. Among  others,  he  met  the  boy  whom  he 
refused  to  admit  for  half  price. 

"Good-morning,"  said  Harry,  smiling. 

"Mornin' !"  answered  the  young  rustic.  "Say, 
I  wish  I  could  sing  like  you !" 

"Perhaps  you  could  if  you  tried." 


I4*          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"No,  I  couldn't.  Granny  says  I've  got  a  voice 
like  a  frog." 

"Not  so  bad  as  that,  I  am  sure." 

"My  voice  is  as  good  as  hers,  anyway.  When 
did  you  sing  before  that  bigbug  the  old  man  told 
of?" 

"You  must  ask  him,"  said  Harry,  smiling.  "It 
won't  do  for  me  to  tell  tales  out  of  school." 

"Well,  I  wish  I  could  sing  like  you.  There's  a 
gal  in  the  village  I'm  kinder  shinin'  up  to.  I 
heard  her  say  last  night  she  wished  she  knowed 
you." 

"Give  her  my  regards,  please,"  said  Harry. 
"If  she  likes  music  you  might  learn  to  play  on 
something,  and  that  might  help  you  win  her 
favor." 

"I  guess  I  will.  I  can  play  on  the  jewsharp 
now." 

"I  think  the  violin  or  flute  would  do  better." 

"You're  a  good  fellow,  after  all.  Last  night  I 
felt  like  lickin'  you." 

"It's  better  to  be  friends.     What's  your  name?" 

"Timothy  Tompkins." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  143 

"Then  shake  hands,  Timothy.  I  wish  you 
good  luck  with  your  girl,  and  shall  be  glad  to 
meet  you  again  some  day." 

"I  think  I  shall  be  getting  self-conceited  before 
long,"  thought  Harry;  "I  certainly  never  expected 
to  become  a  public  singer.  I  wonder  what  my 
'guardeen,'  as  he  calls  himself,  would  have  said, 
if  he  had  been  in  the  audience  last  evening." 

The  Foxes,  however,  were  destined  to  hear  of 
Harry's  success.  The  Cqnway  Citizen  was  taken 
in  the  family,  and,  much  to  their  astonishment,  this 
was  what  they  read  in  the  next  number : 

"The  magical  entertainment  of  Prof.  Hemen- 
way,  on  Thursday  evening,  was  even  more  success- 
ful than  usual.  He  has  had  the  good  fortune  to 
secure  the  services  of  a  young  vocalist  named 
Harry  Vane,  who  charmed  both  young  and  old  by 
two  popular  selections.  His  voice  and  execution 
are  admirable,  and  we  predict  for  him  a  brilliant 
future." 

Mr.  Fox  read  this  aloud  in  evident  wonder  and 
excitement. 

"Did  you  ever  hear  the  like?"  he  said. 


i44  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Who'd  have  thought  it?"  chimed  in  Mrs. 
Fox. 

"I  wonder  if  he  gets  good  pay,"  said  Joel.  "I 
say,  dad,  I  believe  that  old  feller  in  the  wagon  was 
the  magician,  and  Harry  was  in  behind.  That 
was  all  a  blind  about  the  smallpox." 

"Shouldn't  wonder  if  you  were  right,  Joel," 
said  his  father.  "I  wish  I'd  knowed  the  boy  could 
sing  so  well.  I'd  have  got  up  a  concert  and  had 
him  sing.  I  might  have  made  it  pay." 

"Shall  you  try  to  get  him  back,  dad?" 

"It's  no  use  now,"  said  John  Fox,  shaking  his 
head. 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          145 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A   LIBERAL  OFFER. 

THEN  commenced  a  round  of  travel — what  the 
professor  called  a  professional  tour.  By  day  they 
traveled  in  the  wagon,  carrying  their  paraphernalia 
with  them,  stopping  at  the  principal  towns,  and 
giving  evening  entertainments.  At  many  of  these 
places  the  magician  was  wrell  known,  and  his  tricks 
were  not  new.  But  he  had  an  attraction  in  his 
young  assistant,  who  was  regularly  advertised  on 
his  posters  as  the  "celebrated  young  vocalist,  whose 
songs  are  everywhere  received  with  admiring  ap- 
plause." 

Indeed,  this  was  very  near  the  truth.  Harry 
was  really  a  fine  singer,  and  his  fresh,  atrractive 
face,  and  manly  appearance  won  him  a  welcome  in 
all  the  towns  on  their  route.  Sometimes  a  ypung 
girl  in  the  audience  threw  him  a  bouquet.  This 
made  him  blush  and  smile,  and  the  donor  felt  re- 
warded. 


i46  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Where  was  it  going  to  end?  Was  he  to  con- 
tinue in  the  service  of  the  professor,  and  in  time 
become  himself  a  magician  and  a  traveling  celeb- 
rity ?  Harry  was  not  sure  about  it.  He  saw  that 
it  would  pay  him  better  than  most  kinds  of  busi- 
ness, and  he  also  discovered  that  Prof.  Hemen- 
way  was  even  better  off  than  he  had  represented. 
Yet,  he  was  not  quite  ready  to  select  the  same  pro- 
fession, but,  being  only  sixteen,  felt  that  he  could 
afford  to  remain  in  it  a  while  longer. 

One  day  the  professor  gave  him  a  surprise. 

"Harry,"  he  said,  as  they  were  jogging  along  a 
dusty  road,  "do  you  think  you  would  like  to 
travel?" 

"I  am  traveling  now,"  said  Harry,  with  a  smile. 

"True,  but  I  don't  mean  that.  Would  you  like 
to  go  on  a  long  journey?" 

"I  should  like  nothing  better,"  replied  Harry, 
promptly. 

"I'll  tell  you  what  I  have  been  thinking  about. 
I  recently  read  in  some  paper  that  a  man  in  my 
line  had  made  a  trip  to  Australia,  and  reaped  a  rich 
harvest.  Everywhere  he  was  received  with  en- 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  147 

thusiasm,  and  made  as  much  money  in  one  month 
as  he  would  do  here  in  four.  Now,  why  shouldn't 
I  go  to  Australia?" 

Harry's  eyes  sparkled. 

"It  would  be  a  fine  thing  to  do,"  he  said. 

"Then  you  would  be  willing  to  accompany  me?" 

"I  would  thank  you  for  taking  me,"  answered 
the  boy. 

"That  is  well!"  said  the  professor,  in  a  tone  of 
satisfaction.  "I  confess  I  shouldn't  like  to  go 
alone.  It  would  be  a  great  undertaking,  but,  with 
a  companion,  it  would  seem  different.  But,  is 
there  anyone  who  would  object  to  your  going?" 

"Yes,"  answered  Harry,  smiling,  "Mr.  Fox, 
my  'guardeen,'  would." 

"We  won't  mind  Mr.  Fox.  Very  well,  then, 
Harry,  we  will  consider  it  settled.  I  shall  rely  on 
you  to  help  me  by  your  singing  there  as  you  do 
here.  As  to  your  wages,  I  may  be  able  to  pay 
you  more." 

"Never  mind  about  that,  professor.  It  will 
cost  you  a  good  deal  to  get  us  there.  I  am  per- 
fectly willing  to^work  for  the  same  sum  I  do  now, 


i48  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

or  even  less,  on  account  of  the  extension  of  the 

trip." 

"Then  you  leave  that  matter  to  me.  I  won't 
take  advantage  of  your  confidence,  but  you  shall 
prosper  if  I  do." 

"How  soon  do  you  propose  to  go,  professor?" 
asked  Harry,  with  interest. 

"As  soon  as  possible.  I  shall  ascertain  when 
the  first  packet  leaves  Boston,  and  take  passage  in 
her." 

The  professor's  decision  pleased  Harry.  He 
had  been  a  good  scholar  in  geography — indeed,  it 
was  his  favorite  study — and  had,  besides,  read  as 
many  books  of  travel  as  he  could  lay  his  hands  on. 
Often  he  had  wondered  whether  it  would  ever  be 
his  fortune  to  see  some  of  the  distant  countries  of 
which  he  read  with  so  much  interest.  Though  he 
had  cherished  vague  hopes,  he  had  never  really  ex- 
pected it.  Now,  however,  the  unattainable  seemed 
within  his  grasp.  He  would  not  have  to  wait  till 
he  was  a  rich  man,  but  when  still  a  boy  he  could 
travel  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  world,  paying  his 
expenses  as  he  went  along. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  149 

Two  weeks  passed.  Each  day  they  halted  in 
some  new  place,  and  gave  an  evening  performance. 
This  life  of  constant  motion  had,  at  first,  seemed 
strange  to  Harry.  Now  he  was  accustomed  to  it. 
He  never  felt  nervous  when  he  appeared  before  an 
audience  to  sing,  but  looked  upon  it  as  a  matter  of 
course. 

At  last  they  reached  Boston.  They  were  to 
give  two  entertainments  at  a  hall  at  the  south  end. 
It  was  the  first  large  city  in  which  Harry  had  sung, 
but  he  received  a  welcome  no  less  cordial  than  that 
accorded  to  him  in  country  towns. 

They  were  staying  at  a  modest  hotel,  comfort- 
able, but  not  expensive.  Harry  was  sitting  in  the 
reading  room,  when  a  servant  brought  in  a  card. 
It  bore  the  rather  remarkable  name  of 

"DR.  MENDLESSOHN  BROWN." 

"A  gentleman  to  see  you,  Mr.  Vane,"  said  the 
servant. 

Harry  rose  and  surveyed  the  stranger  in  some 
surprise.  He  had  long  hair,  of  a  reddish  yellow, 
with  an  abundant  beard  of  the  same  hue.  His  suit 


1 50  FACING    THE    WORLD, 

of  worn  black  fitted  him  poorly,  but  Dr.  Brown 
evidently  was  not  a  devotee  of  dress.  No  tailor 
would  ever  point  to  him,  and  say  with  pride : 
"That  man's  clothes  were  made  at  my  shop." 

"Do  I  speak  to  Mr.  Harry  Vane,  the  young 
vocalist?"  asked  the  stranger,  with  a  deferential 
smile. 

"That's  my  name,"  answered  our  hero. 

"You  are  alone?" 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  Harry,  a  little  puzzled. 

"It  is  well.  I  will  come  to  business  at  once. 
You  have  probably  heard  of  me,  eh?" 

"Probably  I  have,  but  I  do  not  remember  names 
well." 

"The  name  of  Mendelssohn  Brown  is  pretty 
well  known,  I  flatter  myself,"  said  the  visitor,  com- 
placently. "To  be  brief — I  heard  you  sing  last 
evening,  and  was  much  pleased  with  your  vocal 
organ." 

Harry  bowed. 

"I  am  about  to  form  a  juvenile  Pinafore  com- 
pany, and  would  like  to  have  you  take  the  leading 
part.  You  would  make  an  excellent  Admiral.  I 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  151 

propose  to  take  my  opera  company  all  over  the 
United  States.  I  should  be  willing  to  pay  you,  as 
the  star  performer,  twenty-five  dollars  a  week." 

Harry  opened  his  eyes  in  amazement. 

"Do  you  think  me  capable  of  singing  in  opera  ?" 
he  asked. 

"Yes,  after  being  trained  by  your  humble  serv- 
ant. What  do  you  say?" 

"I  thank  you  for  your  flattering  offer,  Dr. 
Brown,  but  I  don't  feel  at  liberty  to  leave  Prof. 
Hemenway." 

The  doctor  frowned. 

"Let  me  tell  you,  you  stand  in  your  own  light, 
Mr.  Vane,"  he  said,  impatiently.  "There  is  some 
difference  between  a  common  juggler,  like  the 
Magician  of  Madagascar" — the  doctor  laughed 
ironically — "and  a  well-known  musical  director, 
who  could  make  you  famous.  Does  Hemenway 
pay  you  as  much  as  I  offer?" 

"No,  sir." 

"I  thought  so.     Then  how  can  you  hesitate?" 

"We  are  about  to  make  an  Australian  tour," 
answered  Harry,  "and,  apart  from  all  other  con- 


152          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

siderations,  I  am  glad  to  have  a  chance  to  travel." 

"Couldn't  you  put  it  off?" 

"No,  sir." 

"Then,"  said  Dr.  Brown,  rather  crestfallen,  "I 
can  only  bid  you  good-morning.  I  think  you  are 
making  a  mistake." 

"Perhaps,  after  I  return  from  Australia,  I  may 
be  ready  to  accept  your  offer." 

"It  will  be  too  late,"  said  the  doctor,  gloomily. 

"Twenty-five  dollars  a  week  is  large  pay," 
thought  Harry,  "but  I  don't  believe  I  should  ever 
get  it.  Dr.  Brown  doesn't  look  like  a  capitalist." 

Half  an  hour  later,  Prof.  Hemenway  entered 
the  hotel. 

"Well,  my  boy,"  he  said,  "the  die  is  cast!  Next 
Saturday  we  sail  from  Long  Wharf,  bound  to 
Australia." 

"But,  professor,  I  have  just  had  an  offer  of 
twenty-five  dollars  a  week  to  sing  in  Pinafore." 

"And  have  accepted!"  exclaimed  the  magician, 
in  dismay. 

"No;  I  respectfully  declined.  I  would  rather 
go  with  you." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  153 

"You  shan't  regret  it,  Harry!"  said  the  profes- 
sor, relieved.  "If  I  am  prosperous  you  shall  share 
in  my  prosperity." 

"Thank  you,  professor;  I  am  sure  of  that. 
What  is  the  name  of  our  vessel?" 

"The  Nantucket.  It's  a  good,  solid-looking 
craft,  and  I  think  it  will  bear  us  in  safety  to  our 
destination." 


i54          FACING   THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE    PASSENGERS. 

THE  Nantucket,  Capt.  Jabez  Hill,  master,  was 
a  large  vessel,  stanch  and  strong,  and  bore  a  good 
record,  having  been  in  service  six  years,  and  never 
having  in  that  time  met  a  serious  disaster.  It  was 
a  sailing  vessel,  and  primarily  intended  to  convey 
freight,  but  had  accommodations  for  six  passen- 
gers. Of  these  it  had  a  full  complement.  Harry 
and  the  professor  I  name  first,  as  those  in  whom  we 
are  most  interested. 

Next  came  John  Appleton,  a  business  man  from 
Melbourne,  who  had  visited  the  United  States  on 
business.  He  was  a  plain,  substantial-looking 
person,  of  perhaps  forty-five.  Next  came  Mont- 
gomery Clinton,  from  Brooklyn,  a  young  man  of 
twenty-four,  foppishly  attired,  who  wore  an  eye- 
glass and  anxiously  aped  the  London  swell,  though 
born  within  sight  of  Boston  State  House.  Harry 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  155 

regarded  him  with  considerable  amusement,  and 
though  he  treated  him  with  outward  respect,  men- 
tally voted  him  very  soft.  Fifth  on  the  list  was  a 
tall,  sallow,  thin  individual,  with  a  melancholy 
countenance,  who  was  troubled  with  numerous 
symptoms,  and  was  persuaded  that  he  had  not  long 
to  live.  He  was  from  Pennsylvania.  He  carried 
with  him  in  his  trunk  a  large  assortment  of  pills 
and  liquid  medicines,  one  or  another  of  which  he 
took  about  once  an  hour.  This  gentleman's  name 
was  Marmaduke  Timmins.  Last  came  a  tall, 
kan  Yankee,  the  discoverer  and  proprietor  of  a 
valuable  invention,  which  it  was  his  purpose  to  in- 
troduce into  Australia.  Mr.  Jonathan  Stubbs, 
for  this  was  his  name,  was  by  no  means  an  unde- 
sirable addition  to  the  little  circle,  and  often  ex- 
cited a  smile  by  his  quaint  and  shrewd  observa- 
tions. 

It  was  the  third  day  at  sea,  when  Harry,  who 
had  suffered  but  little  from  seasickness,  came  on 
deck,  after  a  good  dinner,  and  saw  the  dudish  pas- 
senger, till  now  invisible,  holding  himself  steady 
with  an  effort,  and  gazing  sadly  out  upon  the  wild 


156          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

waste  of  waters  without  the  help  of  his  eyeglass. 

"How  do  you  feel,  Mr.  Clinton?"  asked  Harry. 

"Horribly,  Mr.  Vane,"  answered  Clinton,  with 
a  languid  shudder.  "I  never  thought  it  was  such 
a  bore,  crossing  the  ocean,  don't  you  know.  I've 
a  great  idea  of  offering  the  captain  a  handsome 
sum  to  land  me  somewhere,  I  don't  care  much 
where." 

"I  don't  think  we  shall  go  near  any  land,  Mr. 
Clinton.  I  think  you  will  have  to  make  the  best 
of  it." 

"There  isn't  any  best,  Mr.  Vane.  Really,  I 
give  you  my  word,  it  has  taken  away  all  my  am- 
bition. I  don't  even  care  for  my  looks.  You 
won't  believe  it,  but  I  haven't  shaved  since  I  came 
on  board.  Couldn't  do  it,  don't  you  know.  My 
face  feels  horribly  rough.  If  this  goes  on  I  shall 
soon  look  like  a  tramp." 

Harry  surveyed  the  smooth,  vacant  countenance 
of  his  fellow  passenger,  but  could  not  discover 
the  stubbly  beard  which  it  might  have  been  ex- 
pected to  show. 

"I  look  horrid,  don't  I?'    drawled  Clinton. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  157 

"I  shouldn't  know  but  you  had  shaved  this 
morning,"  said  Harry,  bluntly. 

"You  are  very  kind,  I'm  sure,"  lisped  the  dude, 
"but  I  know  I  am  a  sight  to  behold.  If  there  were 
any  ladies  on  board,  I  should  be  dreadfully  morti- 
fied, I  give  you  my  word." 

"I  haven't  shaved  myself  since  I  came  aboard," 
said  Harry,  gravely.  "Would  you  notice  it?" 

"Well,  no,  I  don't  think  I  should,"  answered 
Clinton,  after  a  scrutinizing  look. 

"Thank  you,"  said  Harry,  appearing  relieved, 
"but  perhaps  that  is  because  you  have  not  your 
eyeglass  with  you." 

"On  my  honor,  your  face  looks  very  clean. 
You  are  only  a  boy,  you  know." 

"How  does  it  happen  that  you  are  making  a  sea 
voyage,  Mr.  Clinton?" 

Montgomery  Clinton  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"You  touch  a  tender  chord,  Mr.  Vane,"  he  re- 
plied. "If  I  tell  you  it  must  be  in  strict  confi- 
dence." 

"You  can  depend  on  me." 

"Then  I  don't  mind  telling  you.     It  is  a  relief 


i58          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

to  confide  in  a  friend.  It  is  because  my  heart  is 
broken,  Mr.  Vane." 

"Indeed!  May  I  ask  how  long  it  has  been  in 
that  condition?"  asked  Harry,  with  commendable 
gravity. 

"Ever  since  I  met  Blanche  Devere  at  Saratoga. 
She's  a  daisy,  Mr.  Vane,  if  ever  there  was  one.  I 
got  mashed  on  her  directly." 

"Did  she  return  your  affection,  Mr.  Clinton?" 

"I  think  she  did,"  said  Clinton,  pensively. 
"She  always  smiled  when  she  saw  me.  Wouldn't 
you  regard  that  as  encouraging?" 

"It  seems  like  it,"  answered  Harry,  gravely, 
though  he  could  imagine  another  reason  for  smil- 
ing. 

"One  day  I  proposed  to  Blanche.  She  hesi- 
tated and  appeared  agitated.  Then  she  told  me 
she  had  a  cousin,  a  military  officer,  who  was  des- 
perately in  love  with  her,  and  had  threatened  to 
shoot  anyone  else  who  offered  her  attentions.  She 
said  she  expected  him  the  next  day,  and  said  she 
hoped  no  one  would  tell  him  of  my  attentions." 

"What  did  you  do,  Mr.  Clinton?" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  159 

"I  left  Saratoga  that  night,  Mr.  Vane,"  an- 
swered Clinton,  sadly,  "but  my  heart  was  broken. 
I  decided  to  make  a  sea  voyage,  hoping  it  would 
help  me,  but  I  didn't  know  the  sea  was  so  beastly 
horrid.  I  think  I  shall  die,  don't  you  know." 

Hearing  a  step  behind  him,  Harry  turned,  and 
his  eye  rested  on  the  melancholy  countenance  of 
Marmaduke  Timmins,  the  chronic  invalid. 

"Good-morning,  Mr.  Timmins,"  said  our  hero. 
"I  hope  you  stand  the  voyage  well." 

"I've  had  several  new  symptoms  since  I  came 
on  board,"  responded  Mr.  Timmins,  gloomily, 
"and  I've  made  a  dreadful  discovery." 

"What  is  it?"  inquired  Mr.  Clinton,  in  alarm. 

"I  find  I've  mislaid  or  forgotten  to  bring  my 
box  of  Remedial  pills.  I  don't  know  what  I  shall 
do  without  them." 

"I've  got  a  box  of  Brandeth's  pills  downstairs," 
said  Clinton.  "You're  welcome  to  a  part  of  them, 
I'm  sure." 

"They  wouldn't  do!  What  can  you  be  think- 
ing of,  young  man?  Do  you  think  there's  no  dif- 
ference between  pills?" 


160          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"I  am  sure  I  can't  tell,  don't  you  know?" 

"Young  man,  you  are  sadly  ignorant,"  said 
Timmins,  severely.  "I've  got  five  other  kinds  of 
pills  downstairs,  for  different  maladies  I  am  sub- 
ject to,  but  none  of  them  will  take  the  place  of 
Remedial  pills." 

"Will  any  of  them  cure  seasickness?"  asked  the 
dude,  eagerly. 

"I  can  give  you  a  remedy  for  seasickness,  Mr. 
Clinton,"  said  Mr.  Holdfast,  the  mate,  who 
chanced  to  overhear  the  inquiry. 

"What  is  it,  Mr.  Holdfast?  I  shall  be  really 
grateful,  I  assure  you,  if  you  can  cure  that  beastly 
malady." 

"Swallow  a  piece  of  raw,  salt  pork  about  an 
inch  square,"  said  the  mate,  gravely,  "and  follow 
it  up  by  a  glass  of  sea  water,  taken  down  at  a 
gulp." 

"That's  horrid,  awfully  horrid!"  gasped  Clin- 
ton, shuddering,  and  looking  very  pale.  "It  actu- 
ally makes  me  sick  to  think  of  it,  don't  you  know," 
and  he  retreated  to  the  cabin,  with  one  hand 
pressed  on  his  stomach. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  161 

"That  young  man's  a  fool!"  said  Mr.  Timmins. 
"He  knows  no  more  of  pills  than  a  baby." 

"Nor  do  I,  Mr.  Timmins,"  said  Harry,  smiling. 

"I  pity  you,  then.  My  life  has  been  saved  sev- 
eral times  by  pills." 

"I'd  rather  live  without  them." 

Marmaduke  shook  his  head  as  he  walked  away. 

"That  man's  a  walking  drug  store,"  said  the 
mate,  looking  after  him.  "I'd  rather  go  to  Davy's 
locker,  and  be  done  with  it,  than  fill  myself  up  with 
pills  and  potions." 

"You're  looking  chipper,  my  boy,"  said  a  new- 
comer, in  a  nasal  voice.  "Haven't  been  seasick,  I 
guess." 

Harry  recognized  the  voice  of  the  Yankee  in- 
ventor, Mr.  Jonathan  Stubbs. 

"No,  sir;  I  have  had  very  little  trouble." 

"I'm  goin'  to  get  up  a  cure  for  seasickness  when 
I  have  time — a  kind  of  a  self-acting,  automatic 
belt — I  guess  there's  money  in  it." 

"It  would  be  a  great  blessing,  Mr.  Stubbs. 
Poor  Mr.  Clinton  would  no  doubt  be  glad  to  buy 


1 62          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

"Do  you  mean  that  languishin'  creeter  with  an 
eyeglass  and  spindle  legs?  What  are  such  fellows 
made  for?" 

"Rather  for  ornament  than  use,"  answered 
Harry,  gravely. 

The  Yankee  burst  into  a  loud  guffaw,  and  re- 
garded Harry's  remark  a  capita!  joke. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  163 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  CLOUD  IN  THE   SKY. 

THE  voyage  was  to  be  a  long  one,  and  after  a 
couple  of  weeks  all  had  their  ,sea  legs  on.     All 
had  become  acquainted,   and  settled  down  to  a 
regular  routine.     But  the  time  dragged,  and  as 
there  were  no  morning  or  evening  papers,  some- 
thing seemed  necessary  to  break  up  the.  monotony. 
"Harry,"  said  the  professor,  "I  have  an  idea." 
"What  is  it,  professor?" 

"Suppose  we  give  an  exhibition  for  the  benefit 
of  our  fellow  passengers  and  the  crew." 
"Why  do  you  say  we,  professor?" 
"Because  I  shall  want  you  to  assist  me,  as  you 
did  on  shore." 

"I  am  ready  to  do  my  part." 
"Then  I  will  speak  to  the  captain." 
The  result  was  that  on  the  first  quiet  day  Prof. 
Hemenway  and  his  assistant  gave  a  matinee  per- 
formance on  the  deck  of  the  Nantucket,  at  which 


1 64  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

all  who  could  possibly  be  spared  were  present.  To 
some  of  the  sailors  it  was  a  novelty,  and  the  magi- 
cian's mysterious  tricks  actually  inspired  some 
with  the  feeling  that  he  was  possessed  of  super- 
natural powers. 

"Will  you  lend  me  your  hat,  Mr.  Clinton?"  he 
asked  presently,  of  the  dude. 

"Certainly,  professor,"  drawled  the  young  man. 

The  professor  took  it,  and  tapped  it. 

"Are  you  sure  there  is  nothing  in  it?"  he  asked. 

"I  am  sure  of  it.  Really,  I  don't  carry  things 
in  my  hat,  don't  you  know." 

"What  do  you  say  to  this,  then?"  and  Prof. 
Hemenway  drew  out  of  the  hat  half  a  dozen 
onions,  a  couple  of  potatoes,  and  a  ship  biscuit. 
"My  dear  sir,  I  think  you  are  mistaken,"  he 
said.  "I  see  you  carry  your  lunch  in  your  hat." 

All  present  laughed  at  the  horrified  face  of  the 
dude. 

"On  my  honor,  I  don't  know  how  those  horrid 
things  came  in  my  hat,"  he  stammered. 

"Are  you  fond  of  onions,  Mr.  Clinton?"  asked 
Harry,  gravely. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  165 

"I  wouldn't  eat  one  for — for  a  new  suit  of 
clothes!"  protested  Clinton,  earnestly. 

"Allow  me  to  return  your  hat,  Mr.  Clinton," 
said  the  professor,  politely.  "I  suppose  you  want 
the  vegetables,  too.  Here  are  the  onions,  and  the 
rest." 

"They  arc  not  mine,  on  my  honor,"  said  Clin- 
ton, very  much  embarrassed.  "Here,  my  good 
man,  can  you  make  use  of  these?" 

The  sailor  whom  he  addressed  accepted  the  gift 
with  a  grin. 

"Thank  you  kindly,  sir,"  he  said,  "if  so  be  as  I 
ain't  a  robbin'  you." 

"I  have  no  use  for  them,  my  good  man.  I 
never  ate  an  onion  in  my  life." 

"Then  I  don't  think  you  know  what's  good," 
said  Mr.  Stubbs.  "An  onion,  let  me  tell  you,  is 
mighty  good  eatin',  and  healthy,  too." 

At  the  close  of  the  magical  entertainment, 
Harry  sang  by  request,  and  no  part  of  the  per- 
formance was  more  popular.  He  received  many 
congratulations. 

"Really,  Mr.  Vane,  you  sing  like  a  nightingale, 


1 66  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

don't  you  know,"  was  the  tribute  of  Montgomery 
Clinton. 

"Bless  me!"  said  Mr.  Timmins;  "I  was  so  ab- 
sorbed in  your  song  that  I  have  forgotten  to  take 
my  catarrh  medicine." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  that  is  the  best  compliment  I 
have  received,"  returned  Harry,  with  a  smile. 

Mr.  Timmins  did  not  hear  him.  He  was  al- 
ready half-way  downstairs,  in  haste  to  repair  his 
omission. 

Little  has  been  said  thus  far  of  Capt.  Hill,  the 
chief  officer  of  the  Nantucket.  He  was  a  stout, 
red-faced  seaman,  nearing  fifty  years  of  age,  and 
had  been  in  service  ever  since  he  was  fifteen.  He 
was  a  thorough  sailor,  and  fitted  in  every  way  but 
one  to  take  charge  of  a  ship  bound  to  any  part  of 
the  world.  His  one  disqualification  may  be  stated 
briefly — he  had  a  passion  for  drink. 

It  was  not  immediately  that  this  was  found  out. 
He  took  his  meals  with  the  passengers,  but  it  was 
not  then  that  he  indulged  his  appetite.  He  kept 
a  private  store  of  liquors  in  his  cabin,  and  had  re- 
course to  them  when  by  himself,  under  the  impres- 


FACING    THE   WORLD.          167 

sion  that  he  could  keep  it  a  secret.  But  intemper- 
ance, like  murder,  will  out. 

Harry  and  the  professor  were  standing  by  the 
rail  looking  out  to  sea,  one  day,  when  a  thick 
voice  greeted  them,  "Good-morn'n',  gentlemen," 
this  address  being  followed  by  a  hiccough. 

Both  turned  quickly,  and  exchanged  a  significant 
glance  when  they  recognized  the  captain. 

uYes,"  answered  Prof.  Hemenway,  "it  is  in- 
deed a  fine  morning." 

"That's  what  I  shay,"  responded  the  captain, 
in  a  combative  tone,  "and  what  I  shay  I  mean." 

Prof.  Hemenway  answered  him  in  a  conciliatory 
way,  and  shortly  after  the  captain  resumed  his 
march,  plainly  unsteady  on  his  legs. 

"I  am  sorry  to  see  this,  Harry,"  said  the  pro- 
fessor, gravely. 

"Yes,  sir;  it  is  a  pity  any  gentleman  should 
drink  too  much." 

"Yes,  but  that  isn't  all,"  said  the  professor, 
earnestly;  "it  is  a  pity,  of  course,  that  Capt.  Hill 
should  so  sin  against  his  own  health,  but  we  must 
consider,  furthermore,  that  he  has  our  lives  under 


,168          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

his  control.  Our  safety  depends  on  his  prudent 
management." 

"He  seems  to  understand  his  business,"  said 
Harry. 

"Granted;  but  no  man,  however  good  a  seaman, 
is  fit  to  manage  a  vessel  when  he  allows  liquor  to 
rob  him  of  his  senses.  I  wish  I  had  known  before- 
hand the  captain's  infirmity." 

"Suppose  you  had,  sir." 

"I  wouldn't  have  trusted  myself  on  board  the 
Nantucket,  you  may  be  sure  of  that." 

"It  may  be  only  an  exceptional  case." 

"Let  us  hope  so." 

This  happened  when  they  were  a  week  out.  It 
must  be  stated  that  the  captain  did  not,  for  a  long 
time,  expose  himself  to  observation  again  when 
under  the  influence  of  his  potations.  Yet  that  he 
still  continued  them  was  evident  from  his  appear- 
ance. There  are  certain  indications  that  may  be 
read  in  the  face  of  an  intemperate  man  by  anyone 
of  experience,  and  these  convinced  not  only  the 
professor,  but  others,  that  Capt.  Hill  drank  every 
day. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  169 

The  next  occasion  on  which  the  captain  dis- 
played his  infirmity  was  rather  a  laughable  one. 
He  came  up  from  the  cabin  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  so  full  that  he  was  forced  to  stagger 
as  he  walked.  Directly  in  front  of  him  the  young 
dude,  Montgomery  Clinton,  was  pacing  the  deck, 
carrying  in  his  hand  a  rattan  cane  such  as  he  used 
on  shore.  As  he  overhauled  him,  Capt.  Hill,  with 
the  instinct  of  a  drunken  man,  locked  arms  with 
the  young  man,  and  forced  him  to  promenade  in 
his  company,  talking  rather  incoherently  mean- 
while. Clinton's  look  of  distress  and  perplexity, 
as  he  submitted  to  his  fate,  caused  Harry  nearly  to 
explode  with  laughter.  They  were  indeed  a  sin- 
gular pair. 

Finally  there  came  a  disaster.  A  lurch  of  the 
vessel  proved  to  much  for  the  captain,  who,  in  los- 
ing his  equilibrium,  also  upset  Clinton,  and  the 
two  rolled  down  under  one  of  the  ship's  boats, 
which  was  slung  up  on  one  side. 

Montgomery  Clinton  picked  himself  up,  and 
hurriedly  betook  Himself  to  his  cabin,  fearing  that 
he  might  fall  again  into  the  clutches  of  his  un- 


1 7o          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

welcome  companion.  The  captain  was  helped  to 
his  feet  by  the  mate,  and  was  persuaded  also  to  go 
downstairs. 

"The  captain  was  pretty  well  slewed,  profes- 
sor," said  Mr.  Stubbs,  who  chanced  to  be  on  deck 
at  the  time. 

"It  looks  like  it,"  answered  Prof.  Hemenway, 
gravely. 

"If  he  does  that  often  it'll  be  a  bad  lookout  for 
us." 

"Just  what  I  was  thinking,  Mr.  Stubbs.  I  wish 
we  could  do  something  about  it.  I  feel  that  our 
lives  may  be  in  peril  from  this  unfortunate  weak- 
ness of  the  chief  officer." 

"I've  a  great  mind  to  speak  to  Capt.  Hill  about 
it.  He  ought  to  have  his  duty  set  before  him." 

"If  you  don't  object,  it  may  be  advisable  to  do 
so,  Mr.  Stubbs." 

Jonathan  Stubbs,  who  was  a  very  free-spoken 
person,  took  an  early  occasion  to  carry  out  his 
plan,  but  with  ill  success.  Capt.  Hill  became  furi- 
ously angry,  vowed  that  Stubbs  had  insulted  him; 
that  he  had  never  drunk  too  much  in  his  life,  and 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  171 

threatened  to  put  him  in  irons  if  he  repeated  the 
offense. 

Mr.  Stubbs  was  not  frightened,  but  saw  that 
further  remonstrance  -would  be  unavailing.  He 
shrugged  his  shoulders  and  walked  away. 

"There's  no  arguing  with  a  fool  or  a  drunkard," 
he  said  to  the  professor. 


FACING   THE   WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE    YOUNG    SAILOR. 

THE  crew  of  the  Nanlucket  consisted  of  twelve 
sailors  and  a  boy,  not  counting  the  officers.  This 
boy  was  about  Harry's  age,  but  an  inch  or  two 
shorter,  and  with  great  breadth  of  shoulders.  He 
had  a  good-natured  face,  and  was  a  general  favor- 
ite on  board,  as  is  apt  to  be  the  case  with  a  boy,  if 
he  possesses  any  attractive  qualities.  He  came 
from  New  Hampshire  and  he  was  known  as  Jack. 

It  was  natural  that  Harry,  as  the  only  other 
boy  on  board,  though  a  passenger,  should  be  at- 
tracted to  Jack.  He  took  an  opportunity  when 
Jack  was  off  duty  to  have  a  chat  with  him. 

"How  long  have  you  been  a  sailor,  Jack?"  he 
asked. 

"Three  years;  I  first  went  to  sea  when  I  was 
thirteen." 

"How  did  you  happen  to  go  in  the  first  place?" 

"Well,  you  see,  Mr.  Vane " 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  173 

"Call  me  Harry.  I  am  only  a  boy  like  your- 
self." 

"So  I  will,  if  you  don't  mind.  Well,  Harry,  I 
may  say,  to  begin  with,  that  I  always  liked  the 
water.  I  was  born  in  a  little  village  bordering  on 
Lake  Winnipiseogee,  and  was  out  on  the  lake 
whenever  I  could  get  the  chance,  either  in  a  row- 
boat  or  sailboat.  I  ^felt  as  much  at  home  on  the 
water  as  on  the  land.  Still,  I  never  should  have 
gone  to  sea  but  for  my  stepfather." 

"Then  you  have  a  stepfather?" 

"Yes.  My  father  died  when  I  was  ten,  leaving 
my  mother  a  little  farm  and  a  comfortable  house. 
J  was  a  young  boy,  and  it  is  hard  for  a  woman  to 
carry  on  a  farm.  A  man  came  into  town  and 
started  in  some  small  business.  He  pretended 
that  he  had  money,  but  I  guess  he  had  precious 
little.  At  any  rate,  he  didn't  object  to  more. 
Pretty  soon  he  fixed  his  eyes  on  our  farm,  and, 
finding  that  mother  owned  it  clear,  he  got  to  com- 
ing round  pretty  often.  I  never  liked  him,  though 
he  pretended  to  be  fond  of  me,  and  used  to  pat  me 
on  the  head,  and  bring  me  candy.  I  wondered  what 


174          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

made  him  come  so  often,  but  I  didn't  mistrust  any- 
thing till  one  day  mother  called  me  and  said  she 
had  something  important  to  say  to  me. 

"  'Jack,'  she  said,  'what  do  you  think  of  Mr. 
Bannock?' 

"'I  don't  think  much  of  him,'  I  answered; 
'what  makes  him  come  here  so  often?' 

"  'He's  going  to  come  here  oftener,'  she  said, 
looking  displeased. 

*  'Then  he  might  as  well  board  here,'  said  I. 

"  'He's  going  to  live  here,'  answered  mother. 

"  'What's  that  for?'  I  asked,  still  not  dreaming 
of  the  truth.  But  it  all  come  out  in  a  minute  when 
she  said:  'He  is  to  be  your  father,  Jack.  I  have 
promised  to  marry  him.' 

'  'You  may  marry  him,'  I  answered,  hotly,  'but 
he  will  be  no  father  of  mine.  My  father  lies  in 
the  churchyard.  I  wish  he  were  alive  again.' 

"  'So  do  I,  Jack,'  said  mother,  wiping  her  eyes, 
'but  we  know  that  car.'t  be.' 

'  'What  makes  you  marry  again,  mother?'  I 
asked. 

'  'I  need  some  one  to  look  after  me  and  the 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  175 

farm,  Jack,'  said  mother.  'A  woman  has  a  hard 
lot  when  she  is  alone.' 

"  'Wait  till  I  am  old  enough,  and  I  will  take 
care  of  the  farm,  mother.  Don't  marry  that 
man!'  I  pleaded.  'What  does  he  know  of  farm- 
ing, anyway?  He  keeps  a  store.' 

"  'His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  he  was  brought 
up  on  a  farm,'  answered  mother. 

"Well,  I  teased  and  teased  her  not  to  marry  Mr. 
Bannock,  but  it  was  no  use.  She  had  given  her 
promise,  and  her  mind  was  made  up.  It  wasn't 
long  before  the  wedding,  wh::h  I  wouldn't  attend, 
and  mother  became  Mrs.  Bannock.  It  wasn't  long 
before  old  Bannock  showed  himself  up  in  his  true 
colors.  It  turned  out  that  he  was  worth  scarcely 
anything.  Though  the  farm  was  still  mother's, 
he  got  her  to  agree  to  have  a  mortgage  placed  on 
it,  and  the  money  he  put  "into  his  business." 

"How  did  he  treat  you,  Jack?"  asked  Harry, 
interested. 

"I  am  coming  to  that.  He  never  liked  me, 
especially  when  he  found  that  I  didn't  attend  the 
wedding,  and  didn't  like  him  at  all.  He  tried  to 


176  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

impose  upon  me,  and  order  me  round,  but  he 
didn't  make  out  much.  Still,  he  was  always  an- 
noying me  in  mean  little  ways,  and  finally  I  got  all 
I  could  stand,  and  the  long  and  short  of  it  is,  that 
I  ran  away  to  Portsmouth,  and  went  on  a  coasting 
voyage.  After  I  got  back  I  shipped  from  Boston 
for  Liverpool,  and  ever  since  I've  kept  sailing  in 
one  direction  or  another.  This  will  be  my  longest 
voyage." 

"Haven't  you  been  to  see  your  mother  since  you 
left  home  three  years  ago?"  Harry  inquired. 

"Of  course  I  have,"  said  Jack,  promptly.  "I 
always  go  to  see  her  as  soon  as  I  get  home  from  a, 
voyage." 

"Do  you  ever  see  your  stepfather?" 
"I  have  seen  him  twice.     Once  he  was  out  of 
town,  and  I  wasn't  sorry." 

"Has  he  ever  tried  to  detain  you?" 
"No.  The  fact  is,"  said  Jack,  laughing,  "I  ex- 
pect he  was  very  well  content  to  be  rid  of  me.  He 
made  up  his  mind  that  I  was  a  pretty  hard  boy  for 
him  to  manage.  There's  only  one  reason  why  I 
should  like  to  be  at  home." 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          177 

"What  is  that?" 

"So  that  I  could  stand  between  my  mother  and 
that  man,"  said  Jack,  gravely. 

"I  hope  he  doesn't  ill  treat  her." 

"He  doesn't  strike  her,  if  that's  what  you  mean. 
I'd  like  to  see  him  do  it!"  exclaimed  Jack,  with 
flashing  eyes. 

"But  he  teases  her,  and  has  his  own  way  in 
everything,  but  she  won't  allow  any  one  to  inter- 
fere. Poor  mother !  She  was  looking  pale  and 
thin  when  I  saw  her  three  weeks  ago.  I  am  sure 
she  has  repented  marrying,  but  she  won't  own  up. 
When  I'm  a  man " 

"Well,  Jack;  when  you're  a  man?" 

"I'll  see  that  she  has  a  better  time,  and,  if  old 
Bannock  don't  like  it  he  can  clear  out.  I  think  he 
will,  anyway." 

"Clear  out?" 

"Yes ;  he  will  have  spent  all  the  property  by  that 
time,  and  when  that  is  done,  he  won't  make  much 
objection  to  going  away.  Then  I  will  take  care  of 
mother,  and  see  that  she  does  not  suffer  for  any- 
thing." 


178          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"You  are  right,  Jack.  I  sympathize  with  you. 
I  hope  you'll  succeed.  I  only  wish  I  had  a  mother 
to  look  out  for,"  and  Harry's  fine  face  wore  an  ex- 
pression of  sadness.  "But  there's  one  thing  I 
can't  help  saying,  though  I  don't  want  to  discour- 
age you." 

"What  is  that,  Harry?" 

"I  don't  see  how  you  are  going  to  lay  up  much 
money  in  going  before  the  mast.  Your  pay  must 
be  small." 

"It  is.  I  only  earn  ten  dollars  a  month,"  re- 
plied Jack. 

"And  out  of  that  you  must  buy  your  clothes?" 
said  Harry. 

"Yes,  that's  true." 

"Then  how  do  you  expect  to  better  yourself?" 
asked  Harry,  looking  puzzled. 

"I'll  tell  you,  if  you  won't  say  anything  about 
it,"  answered  Jack,  in  a  lower  tone. 

"Go  ahead." 

"We  are  going  to  Australia,  you  know.  I've 
heard  there  are  good  chances  of  making  money 
there,  in  mining  or  herding  cattle,  and  I  mean  to 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  179 

leave  the  ship  at  Melbourne.  Of  course,  I  don't 
want  anything  said  about  it." 

"Would  the  captain  try  to  prevent  you,  Jack?" 

"I  think  he  would.  He  don't  like  me,  at  any 
rate." 

"Why  not?" 

"That  is  more  than  I  can  tell,  but  I  can  see  that 
he  has  a  prejudice  against  me." 

The  boys  were  so  absorbed  in  their  conversation 
that  they  did  not  notice  the  approach  of  the  cap- 
tain till  his  harsh  voice  was  heard. 

"What  are  you  two  boys  chattering  about?"  he 
demanded,  with  a  frown. 

Jack  turned  round  startled,  but  Harry  faced  the 
captain  calmly,  and  did  not  speak. 

"Will  you  answer  me?"  he  repeated,  raising  his 
voice. 

"I  was  talking  about  home  and  my  mother," 
said  Jack. 

"Mighty  interesting,  upon  my  word!  And 
what  were  you  talking  about?"  continued  Capt. 
Hill,  turning  to  Harry. 

"That  can  be  of  no  interest  to  you,  Capt.  Hill," 


i8o          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

said  Harry,  coldly.     "You  appear  to  forget  that 
I  am  a  passenger." 

As  he  walked  away,  the  captain  regarded  him 
with  an  ominous  scowl.  He  wished  that  for  fif- 
teen minutes  Harry  had  been  one  of  the  crew.  It 
was  fortunate  for  Jack  that  his  temper  was  di- 
verted, for,  apparently  forgetting  the  young  sailor, 
he  strode  on,  and  Jack  managed  to  slip  down  to 
the  forecastle. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  181 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

HARRY'S  DARING  ACT. 

THIS  was  not  by  any  means  the  last  conversation 
Harry  had  with  Jack  Pendleton — for  this  he 
found  to  be  the  young  sailor's  name — and  they 
soon  became  excellent  friends. 

"Jack,"  said  Harry,  one  day,  "I  never  should 
take  you  to  be  a  sailor  if  I  met"  you  on  land." 

"Why  not?" 

"You  don't  talk  like  one." 

Jack  smiled. 

"I  suppose  you  mean  that  I  never  say  'shiver 
my  timbers,'  and  use  other  like  expressions." 

"No;  but  you  talk  like  a  well-educated  boy." 

"So  I  am.  I  was  always  fond  of  my  books, 
and  stood  high  in  school.  But  for  my  stepfather 
I  might  be  there  yet.  As  it  is,  my  education 
stopped  at  the  age  of  thirteen." 

"Not  necessarily.  You  have  learned  a  good 
deal  since." 


1 82  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Yes,  but  not  of  books.  I  hope  some  time  to  be 
able  to  continue  my  studies.  At  present  it  is  my 
business  to  learn  seamanship." 

Harry  had  the  more  time  on  his  hands,  as  his 
traveling  companion,  the  professor,  took  sick,  and 
was  confined  for  three  or  four  weeks  to  his  cabin. 
There  was  no  danger,  but  still  the  ship's  surgeon 
advised  him  to  stay  below. 

"What  makes  you  keep  company  with  that 
sailor  boy,  Mr.  Vane?"  asked  Mr.  Clinton,  who 
would  have  liked  more  of  Harry's  society  himself. 

"I  think  he  is  rather  an  uncommon  sailor.  He 
is  very  well  educated." 

"Oh,  yes;  I  suppose  he  can  read  and  write;  but, 
of  course,  he  can  never  be  admitted  into  society, 
don't  you  know?" 

"Why  shouldn't  I?" 

"Because  he  is  a  common  sailor,  don't  you 
know?" 

"No,  I  don't,  Mr.  Clinton.  He  may  be  a  cap- 
tain some  day." 

"But  he  isn't  now.  I  give  you  my  word  I 
noticed  this  morning,  when  you  were  speaking 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  183 

with  him,  that  his  fingers  were  all  soiled  with  tar. 
That's  horrid,  you  know." 

"Don't  you  think  he's  a  good-looking  boy?" 

"Well,  yes,  for  one  of  the  lower  order." 

"You  forget  we  don't  have  any  distinction  of 
classes  in  America." 

"Don't  we,  though?  By  Jove!  Mr.  Vane, 
you  don't  put  yourself  on  a  level  with  those  crea- 
tures that  dig  ditches  and  climb  masts,  and  such 
things?" 

"Your  sentiments  are  very  undemocratic.  You 
ought  to  have  been  born  in  Enghnd." 

"I  wish  I  had  been.  I  like  their  institutions  a 
good  deal  better  than  ours,  don't  yoa  know?" 

"When  I  first  spoke  with  you,  Mr.  Clinton,  I 
thought  you  might  be  an  Englishman." 

"Did  you,  really?"  inquired  Clinton,  with  evi- 
dent pleasure.  "I'm  often  taken  for  an  English- 
man, on  my  honor.  I  don't  know  why  it  is,  but 
positively,  I'm  often  asked  when  I  came  from  the 
other  side." 

"Would  you  rather  be  taken  for  an  Englishman 
than  an  American?" 


1 84          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"Well,  you  see,  there  are  some  Americans  that 
are  so  vulgar,  don't  you  know? — talk  through 
their  noses,  and  all  that." 

"Where  were  you  born,  Mr.  Clinton?" 

"In  Massachusetts,  not  far  from  Boston." 

"Then  you  are  a  Yankee." 

"Oh!  don't  call  me  that,  Mr.  Vane.  I  really 
couldn't  stand  it.  People  always  think  of  a  Yan- 
kee as  a  tall,  slat-sided  individual,  like  Asa  Tren- 
chard,  in  the  play  of  'Our  American  Cousin.'  " 

"But  he's  a  much  more  creditable  character  than 
Lord  Dundreary,"  said  Harry,  who  had  once  seen 
the  play  performed  by  a  traveling  company  in  the 
town  hall  of  his  native  place.  "Dundreary, 
though  a  lord,  was  a  perfect  idiot." 

"Still,  he  knew  how  to  behave  in  society,  and 
wore  good  clothes." 

"Would  you  prefer  to  be  Lord  Dundreary 
rather  than  Asa  Trenchard?" 

"Of  course.  How  can  you  ask  the  question, 
Mr.  Vane?" 

Harry  smiled.  "I  wanted  to  get  your  idea  on 
the  subject,"  he  said. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  185 

"By  the  way,  Mr.  Vane,  are  you  descended  from 
Sir  Henry  Vane,  one  of  the  royal  governors  of 
Massachusetts?  I  have  been  meaning  to  ask 
you." 

"I  can't  tell,  Mr.  Clinton;  but  my  name  hap- 
pens to  be  the  same — Harry." 

"Really,  that  is  very  interesting.  I  should 
think  you  would  look  up  the  matter." 

"Perhaps  I  will  when  I  return  home!"  said 
Harry,  who  cared  very  little  about  the  matter. 
From  this  time,  however,  Clinton  regarded  him 
with  increased  respect,  and  manifested  an  increased 
liking  for  his  society,  from  his  supposed  aristo- 
cratic lineage.  Our  hero  treated  him  with  good- 
natured  toleration,  but  muck  preferred  the  com- 
pany of  Jack  Pendleton,  sailor  as  he  was,  though 
his  fingers  were  not  infrequently  smeared  with  tar. 
Harry  did  not  mind  this,  but  was  attracted  by  the 
frank,  good-humored  face  of  young  Jack,  and  was 
always  glad  to  have  a  chat  with  him.  He  had  a 
chance,  though  at  some  personal  risk,  to  do  him  a 
signal  service  before  long. 

The  captain's  habits,  it  must  be  said,  did  not 


1 86          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

improve.  His  stock  of  liquor  was  ample,  and  he 
continued  to  indulge  himself.  Generally  he  kept 
within  safe  bounds,  but  at  times  he  allowed  his 
appetite  to  get  the  better  of  him.  Whenever  that 
happened,  it  was  fortunate  if  he  drank  himself  into 
a  state  of  stupefaction,  and  remained  in  his  cabin, 
leaving  the  management  of  the  ship  to  the  mate, 
Mr.  Holdfast,  who  was  thoroughly  temperate. 
Unfortunately,  he  was  not  always  content  to  re- 
main in  the  cabin.  He  would  stagger  upstairs  and 
give  orders  which  might,  or  might  not,  be  judi- 
cious. 

Of  course,  this  state  of  things  was  perfectly 
well  understood  by  all  on  board.  One  of  the  pas- 
sengers, in  an  interview  with  the  mate,  tried  to 
draw  him  out  on  the  subject,  and  asked  him,  if  mat- 
ters should  absolutely  require  it,  whether  he  would 
assume  command  of  the  ship. 

"I  would  rather  not  express  myself  on  that 
point,"  said  Holdfast,  cautiously.  "As  a  subor- 
dinate it  would  not  be  becoming.  It  will  be  time 
enough  when  the  contingency  you  speak  of  ar- 
rives." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  187 

With  this  they  had  to  be  satisfied.  Indeed,  they 
thought  that  the  mate  was  right,  and  his  caution 
increased  their  respect  for  him. 

One  day — it  was  about  a  month  after  they  left 
port — Capt.  Hill  came  up  on  deck  in  one  of  his 
worst  fits  of  intoxication.  All  the  passengers  were 
on  deck,  it  being  a  fair  day.  They  regarded  the 
captain  with  alarm,  for  in  his  hand  he  held  a  pistol, 
which  he  carried  in  such  careless  style  that  it  might 
be  discharged  at  any  time. 

Jack  Pendleton  had  been  sent  up  to  the  mast- 
head on  some  duty  by  the  mate.  The  captain's 
roving  eyes  fell  upon  him,  and  the  dislike  he  felt 
for  the  boy  found  vent. 

"What  are  you  doing  up  there,  you  young  lub- 
ber?" he  shouted. 

"Mr.  Holdfast  sent  me,"  answered  Jack. 

"You  lie!"  roared  the  captain.  "I'll  teach  you 
to  lie  to  me!" 

"I'll  come  down,  sir,"  said  Jack,  "if  you  say  so." 

"I'll  bring  you  down !"  shouted  the  captain,  furi- 
ously, as  he  deliberately  pointed  the  pistol  at  the 
cabin  boy,  and  prepared  to  pull  the  trigger. 


1 88          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

There  was  a  cry  of  horror  on  the  part  of  the 
passengers  as  they  saw  the  insane  act  of  the  cap- 
tain, and  realized  the  peril  of  poor  Jack.  But,  in 
spite  of  all,  the  boy  would  probably  have  fallen  a 
victim  to  the  drunken  fury  of  Capt.  Hill.  Jack 
himself  fully  understood  his  danger,  and  his  ruddy 
face  turned  pale.  His  life  hung  in  the  balance, 
and  was  saved  only  by  the  courage  of  his  boy 
friend,  Harry. 

Of  all  the  passengers,  Harry  stood  nearest  to 
the  captain.  When  he  saw  the  pistol  pointed  at 
Jack,  he  did  not  stop  to  think,  but  made  a  bound, 
and  dashed  the  weapon  from  the  captain's  hand. 
It  was  discharged,  but  the  bullet  sped  over  the  rail 
and  dropped  into  the  ocean.  Nor  did  Harry  stop 
here.  He  seized  the  fallen  pistol,  and  hurled  it 
over  the  side  of  the  vessel. 

The  captain  was  for  a  moment  stupefied  by  the 
suddenness  of  the  act.  Then,  in  a  voice  of  fury, 
he  exclaimed,  pointing  to  Harry:  "Put  that  boy  in 
irons!" 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  189 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

A  SENSATIONAL  SCENE. 

"Pur  that  boy  in  irons!"  repeated  Capt.  Hill, 
his  eyes  blazing  with  anger. 

Not  a  sailor  stirred.  There  was  not  one  that 
did  not  admire  Harry's  promptness,  which  had 
saved  Jack's  life,  and  prevented  the  captain  from 
becoming  a  murderer. 

"Here,  you  two  men,  seize  the  boy,  and  carry 
him  below!"  exclaimed  the  captain,  addressing 
Brown  and  Higgins,  the  two  sailors  nearest. 

The  two  men  looked  at  each  other,  moved  a 
step  forward  and  then  stopped. 

"Is  this  mutiny?"  roared  the  captain,  with  a 
blood-curdling  oath.  "Am  I  master  in  my  own 
ship  or  not?" 

What  might  have  been  the  issue,  it  is  hard  to 
tell,  had  not  the  Yankee  passenger,  already  re- 
ferred to,  Jonathan  Stubbs,  come  forward  and 
taken  up  the  gauntlet. 


190  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Look  here,  cap'n,"  he  commenced,  in  a  drawl- 
ing tone,  "what's  all  this  fuss  you're  kickin'  up? 
You're  kinder  riled,  ain't  you?" 

"Who  are  you  that  dare  to  bandy  words  with 
me?"  roared  the  captain,  with  a  terrific  frown. 

"I  thought  you  knew  my  name,"  answered  the 
Yankee,  with  imperturbable  coolness,  "but,  if  you 
don't,  here  is  my  card;"  and  he  deliberately  drew 
a  card  from  his  pocket,  and  tendered  it  to  the  chief 
officer. 

Capt.  Hill  struck  it  from  his  hand,  and  threw  it 
upon  the  deck. 

"That  is  the  way  I  treat  your  card,  sir.  Men, 
do  you  hear  me  ?  Put  that  bxoy  in  irons,  or  must  I 
do  it  myself  ?" 

"Look  here,  cap'n,  let's  argy  that  matter  a 
little,"  said  Stubbs.  "What's  the  boy  to  be  put  in 
irons  for?" 

"For  grossly  insulting  me,  and  defying  my  au- 
thority, sir." 

"He  has  prevented  your  committing  murder,  if 
that's  what  you  mean.  You  ought  to  thank 
him." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  19  T 

"Take  care,  sir!"  thundered  the  captain,  "or  I 
may  put  you  in  irons,  also." 

"I  reckon  you  might  find  a  little  opposition," 
said  the  Yankee,  quietly.  "I'm  a  passenger  on  this 
vessel,  Capt.  Hill,  and  your  authority  doesn't  ex- 
tend to  me." 

"We'll  see  about  that,  sir,"  said  the  captain,  and 
he  grasped  Stubbs  by  the  collar. 

Now,  the  Yankee  was  not  a  heavy  man,  but  he 
was  very  strong  and  wiry,  and,  moreover,  in  his 
early  days,  like  Abraham  Lincoln,  he  had  been  the 
best  wrestler  in  the  Vermont  village  in  which  he 
was  born.  He  was  a  very  quiet,  peaceable  man, 
but  he  was  accustomed  to  resent  insult  in  an  effect- 
ive way.  He  wrenched  himself  free  by  a  power- 
ful effort,  then,  with  a  dexterous  movement  of  one 
of  his  long  legs,  he  tripped  up  the  captain,  who  fell 
in  a  heap  upon  the  deck. 

The  shock,  added  to  the  effects  of  his  intoxica- 
tion, seemed  to  stupefy  the  captain,  who  remained 
where  he  fell. 

"Boys,"  said  Stubbs,  coolly,  to  the  two  sailors, 
who  had  been  ordered  to  put  Harry  in  irons, 


1 92  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"hadn't  you  better  help  the  captain  into  his  cabin? 
He  seems  to  be  unwell." 

Just  then  the  mate  came  on  deck.  He  didn't 
make  inquiries,  but  took  in  the  situation  at  a  glance, 
and  assisted  the  captain  to  his  feet. 

"Shall  I  help  you  downstairs,  sir?"  he  asked. 

The  captain  silently  acquiesced,  and  the  prime 
actor  in  this  rather  startling  scene  left  the  deck. 

Jack  Pendleton  scrambled  down  from  his  ele- 
vated perch  with  the  agility  of  a  cat.  He  ran  up 
to  Harry,  and  grasped  his  hand,  with  evident  emo- 
tion. 

"You  have  saved  my  life!"  he  said.  "I  will 
always  be  your  friend.  I  would  lay  down  my  life 
for  you." 

"It's  all  right,  Jack,"  said  Harry,  rather  shyly. 
"You  would  have  done  the  same  for  me." 

"Yes,  I  would,"  answered  Jack,  heartily,  "but 
there's  no  one  else  who  would  have  done  it  for 
me." 

"Are  you  goin'  to  leave  me  out,  my  boy?"  asked 
the  Yankee,  with  a  smile  on  his  plain  but  good- 
natured  face. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  193 

"No,  sir,"  responded  Jack.  "You  stood  up  to 
the  captain  like  a  man.  He  didn't  frighten  you." 

"No.  I  wasn't  much  scared,"  drawled  Stubbs, 
contorting  his  features  drolly.  "But,  I  say,  young 
man,  I've  got  a  piece  of  advice  to  give  you.  You 
don't  seem  to  be  much  of  a  favorite  with  the  cap- 
tain." 

"It  don't  look  so,"  said  Jack,  laughing. 

"Just  you  keep  out  of  his  way  as  much  as  you 
can.  When  a  man  gets  as  full  as  he  does,  he's  apt 
to  be  dangerous." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  I  will." 

Among  the  spectators  of  the  scene  just  de- 
scribed, the  most  panic-stricken,  probably,  was 
Montgomery  Clinton,  the  Brooklyn  dude. 

After  the  captain  had  gone  below,  he  walked 
up  to  Harry,  whom  he  regarded  with  evident  ad- 
miration. 

"I  say,  you  re  quite  a  hero.  I  was  awfully 
frightened,  don't  you  know,  when  that  big  bully 
aimed  at  the  sailor  boy." 

"You  looked  a  little  nervous,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said 
Harry,  smiling. 


i94          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"You  were  awfully  brave,  to  knock  the  pistol 
out  of  his  hand.  I  don't  see  how  you  dared  to  do 
it." 

"I  didn't  stop  to  think  of  the  danger.  I  saw 
that  Jack's  life  was  in  danger,  and  I  did  the  only 
thing  I  could  to  save  him." 

"I'm  glad  you're  not  put  in  irons.  It  must  be 
awful  to  be  in  irons." 

"I  don't  think  I  should  like  it,  though  I  never 
had  any  experience.  You'd  have  stood  by  me, 
wouldn't  you,  Mr.  Clinton?" 

Clinton  was  evidently  alarmed  at  the  sugges- 
tion. 

"Yes,  of  course,"  he  said,  nervously;  "that  is, 
I  would  have  gone  down  to  see  you  on  the  sly. 
You  wouldn't  expect  me  to  fight  the  captain,  don't 
you  know." 

Harry  could  hardly  refrain  from  smiling  at  the 
idea  of  the  spindle-shaped  dude  resisting  the  cap- 
tain; but  he  kept  a  straight  face  as  he  answered: 

"I  look  upon  you  as  a  brave  man,  Mr.  Clinton. 
When  I  get  into  trouble,  I  shall  be  sure  to  call  upon 
you." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  195 

"Oh,  certainly,"  stammered  Clinton;  "but  I  say, 
Mr.  Vane,  I  hope  you'll  be  prudent;  I  do,  really. 
Capt.  Hill  might  shoot  you,  you  know,  as  he  tried 
to  shoot  the  sailor  boy  just  now." 

"If  he  does,  Mr.  Clinton,  I  shall  expect  you  to 
interfere.  You  are  not  as  strong  as  the  captain, 
but  a  bold  front  will  go  a  great  way.  If  you 
threaten  to — to  horsewhip  him,  I  think  it  might 
produce  an  effect  upon  him." 

"Really,  my  dear  Mr.  Vane,"  said  Clinton, 
turning  pale,  "I  don't  think  I  could  go  so  far  as 
that." 

"I  thought  you  were  my  friend,  Mr.  Clinton," 
said  Harry,  reproachfully. 

"So  I  am,  but  I  think  you  are,  too — too  blood- 
thirsty, Mr.  Vane.  It  is  best  to  be  prudent,  don't 
you  know  ?  There's  that  Yankee,  Mr.  Stubbs ;  he 
would  do  a  great  deal  better  than  I.  He's 
stronger,  and  older,  and — you'd  better  speak  to 
him,  don't  you  know." 

"A  very  good  suggestion,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said 
Harry,  gravely. 

"I  am  afraid  I  should  fare  badly,"  thought  our 


196  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

hero,  "if  I  depended  upon  Clinton  to  stand  by  me. 
He  isn't  of  the  stuff  they  make  heroes  of." 

Twenty-four  hours  passed  before  Capt.  Hill  re- 
appeared on  deck.  Meanwhile,  Harry  had  re- 
ceived congratulations  from  all  the  passengers  on 
his  display  of  pluck,  and  from  some  of  the  sailors 
besides. 

In  fact,  if  he  had  not  been  a  sensible  boy, 
he  might  have  been  in  danger  of  being  spoiled 
by  praise.  But  he  answered,  very  modestly,  that 
he  had  only  acted  from  impulse,  actuated  by  a  de- 
sire to  save  Jack,  and  had  not  had  time  to  count 
the  consequences. 

"I'll  stand  by  you,  my  lad,"  said  Hiram  Stubbs. 
"The  captain  may  try  to  do  you  a  wrong,  but  he 
will  have  somebody  else  to  reckon  with — I  won't 
see  you  hurt." 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Stubbs,"  said  Harry,  heartily. 
"I  know  the  value  of  your  help  already.  Mr. 
Clinton  also  is  willing  to  stand  by  me,  though  he 
says  he  doesn't  want  to  get  into  a  fight  with  the 
captain." 

"Clinton!     That    spindle-legged    dude!"    said 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  197 

Stubbs,  exploding  with  laughter.  "My!  he 
couldn't  scare  a  fly." 

Harry  laughed,  too.     He  could  not  well  help  it. 

"He  seems  a  good  fellow,  though  not  exactly  a 
hero,"  he  said.  "I  am  glad  to  have  his  good 
will." 

"He  is  more  of  a  tailor's  dummy  than  a  man," 
said  Stubbs.  "I  always  want  to  laugh  when  I 
look  at  him.  Hist !  there's  the  captain." 

Harry  turned  quickly  toward  the  companion 
way,  and  saw  Capt.  Hill  set  foot  on  the  deck.  A 
glance  satisfied  him  that  the  captain  was  sober. 


198  FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

A  STORM. 

CAPT.  HILL  must  have  observed  Harry  and 
Mr.  Stubbs,  but  he  walked  by  them  without  notice, 
and  attended  to  his  duties,  giving  his  orders  in  a 
sharp,  quick  tone.  He  was  an  experienced  sea- 
man, and  thoroughly  fitted  for  the  post  of  chief 
officer,  when  not  under  the  influence  of  liquor. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  that  the  captain  is  sober," 
said  Stubbs,  in  a  low  voice. 

"So  am  I,"  answered  Harry. 

Harry  was  a  little  apprehensive  that  Capt.  Hill 
would  show  resentment  for  his  boyish  interference, 
though  it  had  saved  him  from  committing  murder 
under  such  circumstances,  and  before  so  many  wit- 
nesses, that  he  could  not  well  have  escaped  con- 
viction and  punishment  whenever  the  ship  reached 
land.  But,  except  ignoring  his  presence,  the  cap- 
tain did  not  in  any  way  intimate  his  recollection  of 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  199 

the  occurrence.  From  this  time,  indeed,  he 
seemed  to  turn  over  a  new  leaf.  Whether  he  still 
indulged  his  appetite  for  strong  drink  in  the  se- 
clusion of  his  cabin  or  not,  he  did  not  again  appear 
on  deck  in  a  state  that  unfitted  him  for  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties. 

One  change,  however,  all  noticed  in  Capt.  Hill. 
He  became  silent,  reserved,  morose.  His  orders 
were  given  in  a  quick,  peremptory  tone,  and  he 
seemed  to  cherish  a  grudge  against  all  on  board. 
Some  captains  add  much  to  the  pleasure  of  the  pas- 
sengers by  their  social  and  cheery  manners,  but 
whenever  Capt.  Hill  appeared,  a  wet  blanket 
seemed  to  fall  on  the  spirits  of  passengers  and 
crew,  and  they  conversed  in  an  undertone,  as  if 
under  restraint. 

Between  the  captain  and  the  mate,  there  Was  a 
great  difference.  Mr.  Holdfast  had  a  bluff, 
hearty  way  with  him,  which  made  him  popular 
with  all  on  board.  As  an  officer,  he  was  strict, 
and  expected  his  orders  to  be  executed  promptly, 
but  in  private  he  was  affable  and  agreeable.  The 
sailors  felt  instinctively  that  he  was  their  friend, 


200          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

and  regarded  him  with  attachment,  while  they  re- 
spected his  seamanship.  If  a  vote  had  been  taken, 
there  was  not  one  but  would  have  preferred  him  as 
captain  to  Capt.  Hill. 

Thus  far — I  am  speaking  of  a  time  when  the 
Nantucket  was  three  months  out — there  had  been 
no  serious  storm.  Rough  weather  there  had  been, 
and  wet,  disagreeable  weather,  but  the  stanch  ship 
had  easily  overcome  all  the  perils  of  the  sea,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  Montgomery  Clinton,  no  one 
had  been  seriously  alarmed.  But  one  afternoon  a 
cloud  appeared  in  the  hitherto  clear  sky,  which 
would  have  attracted  no  attention  from  a  lands- 
man. Mr.  Holdfast  observed  it,  however,  and, 
quietly  calling  the  captain,  directed  his  attention  to 
it. 

"I  think  we  are  going  to  have  a  bad  storm,  Capt. 
Hill,"  he  said.  'That's  a  weather  breeder." 

The  captain  watched  the  cloud  for  a  moment, 
and  then  answered,  quietly:  "I  think  you  are  right, 
Mr.  Holdfast.  You  may  give  your  orders  ac- 
cordingly." 

The  sails  were  reefed,  and  the  vessel  was  pre- 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  201 

pared  for  the  warfare  with  the  elements  which 
awaited  it. 

"What  are  they  doing  that  for,  Mr.  Vane?" 
asked  Clinton,  who  chanced  to  be  conversing  with 
our  hero.  "It's  a  pity  to  reef  the  sails  when  we 
are  going  so  nicely.  For  my  part,  I  wish  we  could 
go  faster.  I'm  tired  of  being  at  sea." 

"I  shall  be  glad  to  reach  land  myself,  Mr.  Clin- 
ton, but  I  suppose  if  they  furl  the  sails  they  have 
good  reason  for  it." 

"I  give  you  my  word,  Mr.  Vane,  I'm  quite  tired 
of  wearing  the  same  clothes  day  after  day.  When 
I  was  on  shore  my  tailor  had  orders  to  make  me 
twelve  suits  a  year.  We've  been  at  sea  three 
months,  and  I've  just  had  to  wear  the  same  suits 
till  I'm  tired  of  them." 

"How  many  suits  did  you  bring  with  you?'* 
asked  Harry,  smiling. 

"Only  six.  It  was  all  I  had  room  for,"  an- 
swered Clinton,  in  a  tone  of  apology. 

"I  don't  know  what  you  will  think  of  me,  then," 
said  Harry.  "I  have  but  one  besides  the  one  I 
have  on." 


202  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Oh,  by  Jove  !  that's  a  very  narrow  margin  !  I 
don't  see  how  you  manage,  don't  you  know?" 

"You  see,  I  never  aspired  to  be  a  leader  of  fash- 
ion like  you,  Mr.  Clinton." 

"You  are  awfully  kind,  Mr.  Vane,"  said  the 
dude,  with  a  gratified  smile;  "quite  complimentary, 
on  my  word.  I  don't  want  to  boast,  but  my 
tailor  tells  me  I  have  more  pairs  of  trousers  than 
any  other  young  society  man  in  Brooklyn.  'Pon 
my  word." 

"That  must  be  a  great  satisfaction,  Mr.  Clin- 
ton," said  Harry,  with  considerable  gravity;  "we 
can't  all  be  fashionable.  Now,  I  wouldn't  dare  to 
tell  you  how  few  clothes  I  have." 

"You  are  only  a  boy,  you  know.  No  offense,  of 
course." 

.  "Certainly  not;  as  you  say,  I  am  only  a  boy. 
But  if  you  don't  mind  telling  me  how  many  pairs 
of  pants " 

"Excuse  me,"  interrupted  Clinton,  in  a  horrified 
tone.  "I  never  wear  pants.  They  never  say 
pants  in  fashionable  circles." 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  I  meant  trousers.     How 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  203 

many  pairs  of  trousers  did  your  wardrobe  con- 
tain?" 

"Forty-three,"  answered  Clinton,  in  a  compla- 
cent tone. 

"You  must  spend  a  great  deal  for  clothes, 
then." 

"I  have  bills  with  several  tailors,"  Clinton  ex- 
plained. "That  class  of  people  expect  to  wait, 
you  know." 

"Then  I  hope,  for  their  sake,  we  shan't  be  ship- 
wrecked," said  Harry. 

"Don't  mention  such  a  horrid  word,"  said  Clin- 
ton, nervously.  "Really,  it  makes  me  verv  uncom- 
fortable, don't  you  know?" 

Harry,  out  of  regard  to  Clinton's  feelings,  did 
not  pursue  the  subject,  but  in  a  short  time  it  forced 
itself  upon  the  attention  of  all  on  board.  The 
little  cloud  increased  portentously  in  size.  All  at 
once  a  strong  wind  sprang  up,  the  sea  roughened 
and  the  billows  grew  white  with  fury,  while  the 
good  ship,  stanch  as  she  was,  creaked  and  groaned 
and  was  tossed  about,  as  if  it  were  a  toy  boat  on 
the  wrathful  ocean. 


204          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

The  passengers  were  all  seriously  alarmed. 
They  had  never  before  realized  what  a  storm  at  sea 
was.  Even  a  man  of  courage  may  well  be  daunted 
by  the  terrific  power  of  the  sea  when  it  is  roused 
to  such  an  exhibition. 

"Harry, v  said  the  professor,  seriously,  "this  is 
terrible." 

uYes,  indeed,"  answered  the  boy,  gravely. 

"If  I  were  indeed  the  magician  I  claim  to  be," 
added  the  professor,  with  a  faint  smile,  "I  would 
try  to  subdue  the  storm,  but  all  my  tricks  are  of  no 
avail  here." 

"I  suppose  it  is  because  we  are  landsmen  that  it 
seems  so  terrible  to  us." 

"Not  wholly.  See  how  grave  and  anxious  the 
captain  and  mate  look.  The  sailors,  too,  work  as 
if  they  knew  their  lives  were  at  stake." 

"It  is  very  fortunate  the  captain  is  not  intoxi- 
cated." 

"Even  if  he  were,  such  a  thing  as  this  ought  to 
sober  him.  It  looks  very  doubtful  whether  we 
shall  ever  give  entertainments  in  Australia." 

"We  will  hope  for  the  best,  at  any  rate,  pro- 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          105 

fessor,"  said  Harry,  manfully.  "There  is  noth- 
ing to  do  but  to  trust  in  Providence.'" 

"Well  thought  of,  Harry.  I  am  not  a  religious 
man — more's  the  pity — but  I  believe  in  God,  and 
trust  in  Him." 

It  became  so  rough  and  difficult  to  stand  on 
deck,  on  account  of  the  vessel  being  tossed  about 
like  a  cockle  shell,  that  Harry  felt  constrained  to 
go  below. 

As  he  passed  the  cabin  of  Montgomery  Clinton, 
he  heard  a  faint  voice  call  his  name. 

Entering,  he  saw  the  dude  stretched  out  in  his 
berth,  with  an  expression  of  helpless  terror  in  his 
weak  face. 

"Oh!  Mr.  Vane,"  he  said;  "do  you  think  we 
are  going  to  the  bottom?" 

"I  hope  not,  Mr.  Clinton.  Our  officers  are 
skillful  men.  They  will  do  all  they  can  for  us." 

"It    is    too    awfully  horrid!"  groaned  Clinton. 

*    "I'd  cheerfully  give  away  all  my  trousers  and  wear 

overalls  the  rest  of  my  life,  if  I  could  be  on  land." 

Harry  was  amused  in  spite  of  himself. 

"I  think  I  would  do  the  same,"  he  said.     "But 


FACING   THE   WORLD. 

wouldn't  you  find  life  a  burden  if  you  had  to  dress 
in  that  way?" 

"I  don't  care.  I'm  awfully  in  earnest!"  said 
Clinton,  with  heroic  self-sacrifice.  "Oh!  what's 
that?"  and  he  moaned  in  terror  as  a  heavy  sea 
struck  the  vessel  on  the  side  and  nearly  threw  him 
out  of  his  berth. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  207 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE  "NANTUCKET'S"  DANGER. 

IT  was  a  terrible  night.  None  of  the  pas- 
sengers ventured  upon  deck.  Indeed,  such  was 
the  motion  that  it  would  have  been  dangerous,  as 
even  the  sailors  found  it  difficult  to  keep  their  foot- 
ing. Harry  was  pale  and  quiet,  unlike  his  friend 
from  Brooklyn,  whose  moans  were  heard  mingled 
with  the  noise  of  the  tempest. 

It  was  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  when 
those  below  heard,  with  terror,  a  fearful  crash, 
and  a  trampling  of  feet  above.  One  of  the  masts 
had  fallen  before  the  fury  of  the  storm,  and  the 
shock  made  the  good  ship  careen  to  a  dangerous 
extent.  What  had  happened,  however,  was  not 
understood  below. 

"I  wonder  what  has  happened,"  said  the  pro- 
fessor, nervously.  "I  think  I  will  go  and  see." 

He  got  out  of  his  berth,  but  only  to  be  pitched 
helpless  to  the  other  end  of  the  cabin. 


208  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"This  is  terrible!"  he  said,  as  he  picked  himself 
up. 

"I  will  try  my  luck,  professor,"  said  Harry. 

He  scrambled  out  of  his  berth,  and,  with  great 
difficulty,  made  his  way  upstairs. 

One  glance  told  him  what  had  occurred.  The 
crippled  ship  was  laboring  through  the  sea.  It 
seemed  1-ike  a  very  unequal  combat,  and  Harry 
might  be  excused  for  deciding  that  the  ship  was 
doomed.  All  about,  the  sea  wore  its  fiercest  as- 
pect. Harry  returned  cautiously  to  his  cabin. 

"Well?"  said  the  professor. 

"One  of  the  masts  is  gone,"  answered  the  boy. 
"The  ship  is  having  a  hard  time." 

"Is  there  danger?"  asked  the  professor,  anx- 
iously. 

"I  am  afraid  so,"  said  Harry,  gravely. 

Montgomery  Clinton  heard  both  question  and 
answer,  and  was  seized  with  panic. 

"Do  you  think  we  are  going  to  the  bottom,  Mr. 
Vane?"  he  asked,  trembling. 

"We  are  in  great  peril,  but  there  is  always  hope. 
I  don't  give  up." 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          209 

"Oh!  why  did  I  ever  come  to  sea?"  sobbed  the 
wretched  dude.  "I  was  having  a  good  time  in 
Brooklyn,  I  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  ladies, 
and  all  the  young  men  admired  my  clothes.  I 
wish  I  was  there  now." 

"What  is  the  fool  bawling  about?"  was  heard 
from  the  cabin  occupied  by  Mr.  Stubbs.  "If  you've 
got  to  die,  can't  you  take  it  calmly,  as  I  do?" 

"I  don't  want  to  be  drowned.  It's  perfectly 
awful!"  moaned  Clinton.  "I — I  never  expected 
to  become  food  for  fishes." 

"Don't  be  alarmed!  None  of  the  fishes  will 
meddle  with  you,"  returned  Stubbs,  in  a  sarcastic 
tone. 

Critical  as  was  their  position,  Harry  could  not 
avoid  smiling  at  this  remark.  But  the  sarcasm  did 
not  touch  Clinton.  He  was  too  much  under  the 
influence  of  terror. 

At  length  the  night  wore  away.  The  violence 
of  the  storm  seemed  to  have  abated,  for,  after  a 
time,  the  motion  diminished.  More  enterprising 
than  the  rest  of  the  passengers,  Harry  resolved  to 
go  on  deck. 


2io          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Won't  you  come  with  me,  Mr.  Clinton?"  he 
asked. 

"I — I  couldn't,  'pon  my  honor.  I'm  as  weak 
as  a  rag.  I  don't  think  I  could  get  out  of  my 
berth,  really,  now." 

"I'll  go  with  you,  my  young  friend,"  said  Mr. 
Stubbs. 

Harry  and  his  Yankee  Friend  set  foot  cautiously 
on  deck.  The  prospect  was  not  reassuring.  The 
ship  rolled  heavily,  and  from  the  creaking  it 
seemed  that  the  timbers  of  the  hull  were  strained. 
The  sailors  looked  fagged  out,  and  there  was  a  set, 
stern  look  on  the  face  of  the  captain,  whom,  never- 
theless, Mr.  Stubbs  ventured  to  accost. 

"What's  the  prospect,  captain?"  he  asked,  anx- 
iously. 

"You'd  better  make  your  will,"  said  the  captain, 
grimly. 

"That's  cheerful,"  commented  Stubbs,  turning 
to  Harry. 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Harry,  soberly. 

"Don't  tell  our  foppish  friend  below,  or  he'll 
rend  our  ears  with  his  howls.  But  you,  my  young 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  211 

friend,  it's  rather  rough  on  you.  How  old  arc 
you  ?" 

"Sixteen." 

"And  I'm  rising  fifty.  Even  if  I  am  taken 
away  I've  a  good  thirty  years  the  advantage  of 
you.  I've  had  a  good  time,  on  the  whole,  and  en- 
joyed myself  as  well  as  the  average.  Still,  I  don't 
quite  like  going  to  the  bottom  in  the  Nantucket. 
I  was  looking  forward  to  twenty  years  or  so  more 
of  life." 

"We  must  submit  to  the  will  of  God,"  said 
Harry,  quietly. 

"You  are  right,  my  boy !  It  is  easy  to  see  that 
you  have  been  well  trained.  Mr.  Holdfast" — 
for  they  had  reached  the  place  where  the  mate 
was  standing — "shall  we  outlive  the  storm?" 

"It  is  hard  to  say,  Mr.  Stubbs.  It  depends  on 
the  stanchness  of  the  ship.  We  will  do  what  we 
can." 

Ten  minutes  later  there  was  a  sinister  answer 
to  the  inquiry  of  Mr.  Stubbs.  A  sailor,  who  had 
been  sent  down  into  the  hold,  came  with  the  in- 
formation that  the  ship  had  sprung  a  leak. 


212  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Then  commenced  the  weary  work  at  the  pumps. 
The  sailors  were  already  worn  out  with  fighting 
the  storm  under  the  direction  of  the  captain  and 
mate,  and  it  seemed  almost  more  than  flesh  and 
blood  could  stand  to  undertake  this  additional 
labor. 

Harry  and  Mr.  Stubbs  had  a  hurried  confer- 
ence. 

"Can't  we  help  at  this  work,  Mr.  Stubbs?" 
asked  Harry.  "The  poor  men  look  utterly  ex- 
hausted." 

"Well  thought  of,  my  boy !  I  am  with  you.  I 
will  speak  to  the  captain." 

But  Mr.  Holdfast,  the  mate,  chanced  to  be 
nearer,  and  to  him  Mr.  Stubbs  put  the  question. 

^Can_'t  I  help  at  the  pumps?" 

"It  is  hard  work,  sir." 

"I  used  to  turn  grindstone  when  a  boy.  I  guess 
I  can  do  it." 

"And  I,  too,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  put  in  Harry. 

"I  accept  your  offer  with  thanks.  The  men  are 
very  tired." 

So  Harry  and  Mr.  Stubbs  helped  at  this  neces- 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  213 

sary  work,  and  when  the  professor  and  the  Mel- 
bourne merchant  heard  of  it  they,  too,  volunteered. 
But  Marmaduke  Timmins,  the  valetudinarian, 
and  Montgomery  Clinton  felt  quite  inadequate  to 
the  task. 

"My  wretched  health  would  not  allow  of  any 
physical  exertion,"  said  Mr.  Timmins,  sadly. 
"This  storm  makes  me  feel  worse  than  usual.  I 
have  taken  double  doses  of  pills,  but  it  has  done  me 
no  good." 

As  for  Clinton,  no  one  asked  him.  Work  did 
not  appear  to  be  in  his  line. 

"He  hasn't  got  the  strength  of  an  able-bodied 
cat,"  said  Mr.  Stubbs,  "even  at  the  best  of  times. 
Now,  I  should  rate  him  at  about  one-mouse 
power." 

Harry  found  his  work  tiresome  and  fatiguing, 
but  he  had  the  comfort  of  feeling  that  he  was  re- 
lieving the  exhausted  sailors  and  doing  something 
to  save  his  own  life  and  the  lives  of  his  compan- 
ions. 

He  caught  sight;  of  poor  Jack,  looking  ready  to 
drop. 


2i4          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"Jack,  you  must  be  very  tired,"  he  said. 

"If  I  stood  still  I  should  drop  on  the  deck  fast 
asleep,"  said  Jack. 

"Can't  you  lie  down  for  an  hour?  I  am  taking 
your  place." 

Mr.  Holdfast  coming  up.  at  this  moment,  Harry 
suggested  this  to  him,  and  the  mate  said  kindly: 

"Jack,  my  lad,  go  below  and  catch  a  little  nap. 
I  will  call  you  when  I  want  you." 

So  Jack,  much  relieved,  went  below,  and,  with- 
out a  thought  of  the  danger,  so  fatigued  was  he, 
fell  asleep  the  moment  he  got  into  his  bunk,  and 
was  not  called  up  for  four  hours. 

After  a  while  they  reduced  the  flow  of  water, 
but  ascertained  that  the  ship  was  badly  strained, 
and  by  no  means  safe.  It  was  not  till  the  next  day, 
however,  that  an  important  decision  was  reached. 

All  were  called  on  deck. 

"It  is  my  duty  to  tell  you,"  said  Capt.  Hill, 
"that  the  ship  is  so  damaged  by  the  recent  storm 
that  it  is  liable  to  sink  at  any  time.  Those  who 
choose  to  run  the  risk,  may  remain,  however.  I 
propose,  with  such  as  choose  to  join  me,  to  take  to 


FACING   THE   WORLD.  215 

the  boats.     I  will  give  you  fifteen  minutes  to  de- 
cide." 

Excitement  and  dismay  were  painted  on  the 
faces  of  all.  The  ship  might  be  insecure,  but  to 
launch  out  upon  the  great  ocean  in  a  frail  boat 
seemed  to  involve  still  greater  danger. 


216          FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

'WHO     WILL     STAY?'' 

THE  decision  was  a  momentous  one.  It  might 
be  death  to  remain  on  the  ship,  but  to  a  landsman 
it  seemed  still  more  perilous  to  embark  on  an 
angry  sea  in  a  frail  boat. 

The  passengers  looked  at  each  other  in  doubt 
and  perplexity. 

They  had  but  fifteen  minutes  in  which  to  make 
up  their  minds. 

The  mate  stood  by,  serious  and  thoughtful. 

"Mr.  Holdfast,"  said  Mr.  Stubbs,  "do  you 
agree  with  the  captain  that  it  is  our  best  course  to 
take  to  the  boats?" 

"It  is  hard  to  tell,"  said  the  mate,  cautiously. 

"What  is  your  impression?" 

"I  should  prefer  to  try  the  ship  a  little  longer. 
I  say  so  with  diffidence,  since  the  captain  has  a 
longer  experience  than  I." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  217 

"I  don't  think  much  of  your  judgment,  Mr. 
Holdfast,"  said  Capt.  Hill,  in  a  tone  of  contempt. 

The  mate's  face  flushed — not  so  much  at  the 
words,  as  the  tone. 

"Nevertheless,  Capt.  Hill,"  he  said,  "I  stand  by 
what  I  have  said." 

"Mr.  Holdfast,"  said  Mr.  Stubbs,  who  seemed 
to  speak  for  the  passengers,  "if  some  of  us  decide 
to  remain  on  the  ship,  will  you  remain  with  us?" 

"I  will!"  answered  the  mate,  promptly. 

"Then  set  me  down  as  the  first  to  remain,"  said 
Stubbs. 

Somehow,  this  man,  rough  and  abrupt  as  he 
was,  had  impressed  Harry  as  a  man  in  whom  con- 
fidence might  be  reposed.  He  felt  safe  in  follow- 
ing where  he  led. 

"I  am  but  a  boy,"  he  said,  "but  I  have  to  decide 
for  my  life.  I  remain  with  the  mate  and  Mr. 
Stubbs." 

Quietly  Stubbs  shook  hands  with  Harry. 

"I  am  glad  to  have  you  with  us,"  he  said,  earn- 
estly. "We  will  die  or  live  together." 

Next  came  Prof.  Hemenway. 


218  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Put  me  down  as  the  third,"  he  said.  "Harry, 
we  sailed  together,  and  we  will  remain  together  to 
the  end." 

"I  go  in  the  boat,"  said  John  Appleton.  "I 
have  a  great  respect  for  Mr.  Holdfast,  but  I  defer 
to  the  captain's  judgment  as  superior." 

He  went  over  and  ranged  himself  beside  the  cap- 
tain. 

"You  are  a  sensible  man,  sir,"  said  Capt.  Hill, 
with  a  scornful  glance  at  the  mate  and  the  pas- 
sengers who  sided  with  him.  "Mr.  Holdfast  can 
go  down  with  the  ship,  if  he  desires.  I  prefer  to 
cut  loose  from  a  doomed  vessel." 

Marmaduke  Timmins,  the  invalid,  looked  more 
sallow  and  nervous  than  ever.  He  had  swallowed 
a  pill  while  the  others  were  speaking,  to  give  him- 
self confidence. 

"I  will  go  with  the  captain,"  he  said.  "My  life 
is  likely  to  be  short,  for  my  diseases  are  many,  but 
I  owe  it  to  myself  to  do  my  best  to  save  it." 

"In  deciding  to  go  with  me,  you  are  doing  your 
best,  sir,"  said  Capt.  Hill. 

He  had  not  hitherto  paid  much  attention  to  Mr. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.          219 

Timmins,  whom  he  looked  upon  as  a  crank  on  the 
subject  of  health,  but  he  was  disposed  to  look  upon 
him  now  with  more  favor. 

At  this  moment  Montgomery  Clinton  appeared 
at  the  head  of  the  stairs.  The  poor  fellow  was 
pale,  and  disheveled,  and  tottered  from  weakness. 

"What's  going  on?"  he  asked,  feebly.  Harry 
took  it  upon  himself  to  explain,  using  as  few  words 
as  possible. 

"Will  you  go  with  the  captain,  or  stay  on  the 
Nantucketf"  asked  Harry. 

"Shall  you  stay  on  the  ship,  Mr.  Vane?"  asked 
Clinton,  feebly. 

"Yes." 

"Then  I  will.  Really,  I  couldn't  stand  sailing 
in  a  little  boat,  you  know.  It's  too  horrid." 

"That's  settled,  then !"  said  the  captain.  "Into 
the  boat  with  you  I" 

The  sailors  and  the  two  passengers  lowered 
themselves  into  the  long  boat,  which  was  large 
enough  to  receive  them  all,  till  only  Jack  Pendle- 
ton  and  the  captain  remained. 

"Get  in,  boy!"  said  the  captain,  harshly. 


220          FACING    THE   WORLD. 

Jack  stepped  back,  and  said,  manfully:  "I  will 
remain  on  board  the  ship,  sir." 

"Stay,  then!"  said  the  captain,  rounding  up  the 
sentence  with  an  oath. 

"I  am  glad  you  will  remain  with  us,  Jack,"  said 
Harry,  smiling  kindly.  "I  don't  want  to  be 
separated  from  you." 

While  this  discussion  had  been  going  on,  the 
boat  was  being  stored  with  kegs  of  water  and  pro- 
visions, and  soon  after  the  sailors  began  to  ply  the 
oars. 

The  little  band  that  remained  looked  on  s'lently 
and  solemnly,  as  they  saw  their  late  companions 
borne  farther  and  farther  away  from  them  on  the 
crested  waves. 

"It's  a  question  which  will  last  longer,  the  ship 
or  the  boat,"  said  Mr.  Holdfast. 

"We  must  work — I  know  that,"  said  Mr. 
Stubbs.  "Capt.  Holdfast,  I  salute  you  as  my  com- 
mander. Give  us  your  orders." 

"Are  you  all  agreed,  gentlemen?"  asked  Hold- 
fast. 

"We  are,"  answered    all    except    Montgomery 


FACING  THE  WORLD.        221 

Clinton,  who  was  clinging  to  the  side  with  a  green- 
ish pallor  on  his  face. 

"Then  I  shall  set  you  to  woik  at  the  pumps. 
Jack,  I  assign  you  and  the  professor  to  duty  first. 
You  will  work  an  hour;  then  Mr.  Stubbs  and  Mr. 
Vane  will  relieve  you.  I  will  look  out  for  the  ves- 
sel's course." 

"I  am  afraid  I  couldn't  pump,"  said  Montgom- 
ery Clinton.  ""I  feel  so  awfully  weak,  you  know, 
I  think  I'm  going  to  die !" 

His  slight  form  was  immediately  convulsed,  and 
he  leaned  over  the  side  with  a  woebegone  look. 
When  he  was  relieved,  the  mate  said,  with  a  slight 
smile,  "You  had  better  go  below,  Mr.  Clinton. 
You  may  be  fit  for  duty  to-morrow.  To-day  I  will 
excuse  you." 

"You're  awfully  kind,  I'm  sure,"  said  poor  Clin- 
ton, not  forgetting  his  politeness  even  in  his  an- 
guish. "If  I'm  alive  to-morrow,  I  hope  I'll  be 
strong  enough  to  pump.  I  used  to  pump  water 
for  my  auntie  when  I  was  a  boy." 

The  poor  fellow,  with  wild,  uncertain  steps, 
staggered  to  the  stairs,  and,  with  the  help  of 


222       FACING  THE  WORLD. 

Harry,  who  saw  that  he  was  really  very  weak,  de- 
scended to  his  cabin. 

"You're  very  kind,  Mr.  Vane,"  he  faltered. 

"I  am  afraid  you  are  feeling  very  miserable,  Mr. 
Clinton,"  said  Harry,  with  a  touch  of  genuine  pity. 
He  would  not  have  liked  to  be  so  weak  and  un- 
manly as  the  dude,  but  he  pitied  him,  nevertheless. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Vane,"  said  Clinton,  dolefully,  "I 
don't  expect  to  live  long." 

"We  may  none  of  us  live  long,"  answered 
Harry,  gravely. 

"You're  awfully  strong,  you  know,  compared  to 
me,"  said  Clinton.  "My  grandmother  used  to  say 
I  had  a  girl's  constitution.  If  I  die  first,  I  leave 
you  all  my  trousers  and  the  rest  of  my  wardrobe. 
I'd  make  a  will,  but  I  don't  feel  like  writing,  you 
know." 

Harry  wanted  to  laugh,  but  he  suppressed  the 
inclination. 

"I  doubt  whether  your  trousers  would  fit  me, 
Mr.  Clinton,"  he  said,  "but  it's  very  kind  of  you, 
all  the  same." 

"Don't  mention  it,  Mr.  Vane." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  223 

"But  I  think  you  had  better  make  up  your  mind 
to  live  and  wear  the  trousers  yourself." 

"I  will  try  to,  but " 

Here  a  lurch  of  the  ship  pitched  him  into  his 
bunk,  where  Harry  left  him  and  rejoined  his  fel- 
low voyagers  on  deck. 

He  looked  out  to  sea  and  saw  the  little  boat  con- 
taining the  remnant  of  their  company  growing 
smaller  and  smaller.  A  sudden  feeling  of  loneli- 
ness overcame  him,  and  he  asked  himself,  seriously, 
"Is  death,  then,  so  near?" 


224  FACING    THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE    END   OF   THE    CRUISE. 

THE  sea  was  still  rough,  but  the  violence  of  the 
storm  was  past.  In  a  few  hours  the  surface  of  the 
sea  was  much  less  agitated.  The  spirits  of  the 
passengers  rose,  especially  after  learning  from  the 
mate  that  he  had  been  able  to  stop  the  leak, 
through  the  experience  which  he  had  acquired  in 
his  younger  days  as  assistant  to  a  ship  carpenter. 

"Then  the  old  ship  is  likely  to  float  a  while 
longer?"  said  Mr.  Stubbs,  cheerfully. 

"Not  a  short  time,  either,  if  the  weather  con- 
tinues favorable." 

"Capt.  Hill  was  in  too  much  of  a  hurry  to  leave 
the  vessel,"  remarked  Harry. 

"Yes,"  answered  Holdfast.  "Such  was  my 
opinion  when  I  thought  the  Nantucket  in  much 
worse  condition  than  at  present.  If  the  captain 
and  sailors  had  remained  on  board,  we  could  have 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  225 

continued  our  voyage  to  Melbourne  without  diffi- 
culty." 

"And  now?"  said  Mr.  Stubbs,  interrogatively. 

"Now  we  have  no  force  to  man  her.  Little 
Jack  and  myself  are  the  only  sailors  on  board." 

"But  not  the  only  men." 

"That  is  true.  I  think,  however,  that  you  or 
the  professor  would  find  it  rather  hard  to  spread 
or  take  in  sail." 

Mr.  Stubbs  looked  up  into  the  rigging  and 
shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"You  are  right,  captain,"  he  said.  "Here  is 
Harry,  now.  He  might  possibly  climb  aloft.  As 
for  me,  it  makes  my  head  swim  to  think  of  myself 
up  there." 

"There  is  Mr.  Clinton,"  suggested  Harry,  smil- 
ing. 

"He  would  make  a  good  tailor's  dummy,"  said 
Mr.  Stubbs.  "I  apprehend  that's  all  he's  fit  for. 
Have  you  formed  any  plans,  captain?" 

"We  must  drift,  I  suppose,"  said  Holdfast.  "If 
we  could  obtain  even  four  or  five  able  seamen,  I 
would  continue  the  voyage." 


226  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Is  there  any  hope  of  that,  do  you  think?" 

"We  might  encounter  some  ship  that  could  spare 
us  that  number,  though  vessels  in  these  latitudes 
seldom  carry  more  men  than  they  require  for  their 
own  needs.  Meanwhile  we  have  one  comfort." 

"What  is  that?" 

"We  are  plentifully  supplied  with  provisions. 
We  shall  not  fall  short  either  of  food  or  drink." 

The  next  day  Mr.  Clinton  appeared  on  deck. 
He  looked  faded  and  played  out,  but  he  was  no 
longer  the  woebegone  creature  of  a  day  or  two 
previous.  Even  he  turned  out  to  be  of  use,  for  he 
knew  something  about  cooking,  and  volunteered 
to  assist  in  preparing  the  meals,  the  ship's  cook 
having  left  the  ship  with  the  captain.  Accord- 
ingly, he  rose  in  the  estimation  of  the  passengers — 
having  proved  that  he  was  not  wholly  a  drone. 

Jack  and  Harry  grew  still  more  intimate.  The 
young  sailor  was  under  no  restraint  now  that  the 
captain  was  not  on  board,  for  with  the  mate  he 
had  always  been  a  favorite. 

All  efforts  were  made  to  keep  the  ship  on  her 
course.  They  could  not  put  up  all  the  sails,  how- 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  227 

ever,  and  made  but  slow  progress.  They  did  little 
but  drift.  Nor  did  they  encounter  any  other  ves- 
sels for  several  days,  so  that  there  was  no  chance 
of  obtaining  the  desired  assistance. 

"I  wonder  where  it  will  all  end,  Jack?"  said 
Harry,  one  evening. 

"I  don't  trouble  myself  much  about  that, 
Harry,"  said  the  young  sailor.  "I  am  content  as 
I  am." 

"Don't  you  look  ahead,  then?" 

"I  am  happy  with  you  and  the  few  we  have  on 
board.  They  are  all  kind  to  me ;  what  more  do  I 
need?" 

"I  can't  be  contented  so  easily,  Jack.  I  hope 
there  is  a  long  life  before  us.  Here  we  are,  mak- 
ing no  progress.  We  are  doing  nothing  to  ad- 
vance ourselves." 

But  this  did  not  make  much  impression  on  Jack. 
He  did  not  look  beyond  the  present,  and  so  that 
this  was  comfortable,  he  left  the  future  to  look  out 
for  itself. 

"What  do  you  think  has  become  of  Capt.  Hill 
and  his  companions,  Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked  Mr. 


228  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

Stubbs,  on  the  third  evening  after  the  separation. 

"He  is  probably  still  afloat,  unless  he  has  been 
fortunate  enough  to  be  picked  up  by  some  ves- 
sel." 

"Do  you  think  that  probable?" 

"It  is  possible,  but  the  ocean  is  wide,  and  there 
is  plenty  of  chance  to  escape  observation." 

"Speaking  plainly,  do  you  think  his  chance  of  a 
safe  deliverance  as  good  as  ours?" 

"No,  I  do  not,"  answered  the  mate,  promptly. 
"If  I  did,  I  should  favor  our  taking  the  remaining 
boat,  and  following  his  example." 

"You  don't  favor  this?" 

"No;  here  we  have  a  good  stock  of  provisions, 
far  more  comfortable  accommodations  and  are 
more  likely,  from  our  size,  to  attract  attention." 

"There  is  no  hope  of  reaching  land  in  the  Nan- 
tucket,  is  there?"  continued  Mr.  Stubbs. 

"There  is  considerable  fear  of  it,"  said  the 
mate. 

"Why  do  you  use  the  word  fear?"  asked 
Stubbs,  puzzled. 

"What  I  mean  is,  that  we  are  likely  to  run 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  229 

aground  upon  some  unknown  island.  If  the  shore 
is  rocky,  it  may  break  us  to  pieces,  and  that,  of 
course,  will  be  attended  with  danger  to  life  or 
limb." 

Stubbs  looked  thoughtful. 

"I  should  like  to  see  land,"  he  said,  "but  I 
wouldn't  like  to  land  in  that  way.  It  reminds  me 
of  an  old  lady  who,  traveling  by  cars  for  the  first 
time,  was  upset  in  a  collision.  As  she  crawled  out 
of  the  window,  she  asked,  innocently:  'Do  you 
always  stop  this  way?'  " 

"There  are  dangers  on  land  as  well  as  on  the 
sea,"  said  the  mate,  "as  your  story  proves;  though 
one  is  not  so  likely  to  realize  them.  In  our  pres- 
ent circumstances,  there  is  one  thing  I  earnestly 
hope  for." 

"What  is  that?" 

"That  we  may  not  have  another  storm.  I  fear, 
in  her  dismantled  condition,  the  Nantucket  would 
have  a  poor  chance  of  outliving  it,  particularly  as 
we  have  no  one  but  Jack  and  myself  to  do  seamen's 
work." 

Mr.  Stubbs  walked  thoughtfully  away. 


23o          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Harry,  who  had  seen  him  talking  with  the  mate, 
asked  him  the  nature  of  the  conversation. 

Mr.  Stubbs  told  him. 

"The  fact  is,  Harry,"  he  said,  uwe  are  in  a  criti- 
cal condition.  Whether  we  are  ever  to  see  old 
terry  firmy  again" — Mr.  Stubbs  was  not  a  classical 
scholar — "seems  a  matter  of  doubt." 

"And  the  worst  of  it  is,"  said  Harry,  "there 
seems  to  be  nothing  you  and  I  can  do  to  increase 
our  chances  of  safety." 

"No,  unless  we  could  manage  to  see  a  ship 
which  the  chief  officer  had  overlooked.  That,  I 
take  it,  is  not  very  likely.  I  don't  care  so  much 
about  being  lost  for  my  own  sake." 

"What,  then?"  asked  Harry,  puzzled. 

"It's  when  I  think  of  what  the  world  will  lose 
by  my  invention,"  explained  Stubbs,  gravely.  "I 
tell  you,  Harry  Vane,  it's  going  to  revolutionize 
the  world." 

"What  is  it?"  Harry  naturally  inquired. 

"That  would  be  telling,"  answered  Stubbs, 
shrewdly.  "I  am  not  prepared  to  make  known 
my  discovery  yet.  If  I  did,  ten  to  one  some  other 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  231 

fellow  would  seize  the  idea,  and  get  the  start  of 
me.  I  want  to  reap  the  advantage  of  it  myself." 

"Why  didn't  you  develop  it  in  America,  Mr. 
Stubbs?" 

"Because  I  got  no  encouragement.  Besides,  I 
was  afraid  it  would  be  stolen.  My  countrymen 
are  sharp.  In  Australia  it  will  be  different.  Some- 
thing told  me  that  there  was  the  place  to  try  it,  so 
I  took  passage  on  the  Nantucket,  and  here  I 
am." 

"I  suppose  you'd  rather  be  somewhere  else," 
said  Harry,  smiling. 

"I  don't  mind  owning  up  that  I  would.  But  it 
can't  be  helped  now — I  must  grin  and  bear  it." 

It  was  toward  morning  of  the  fifth  night  after 
the  captain  had  left  the  ship  that  all  on  board  were 
startled  by  a  mighty  thumping,  accompanied  by  a 
shock  that  threw  the  sleepers  out  of  bed. 

Harry  ran  hastily  on  deck.  The  mate  was  there 
already. 

"What's  happened,  Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked  the 
boy,  anxiously. 

"The  ship  has  struck  on  a  rocky  ledge!" 


232          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Are  we  in  danger?" 

"In  great  danger.  Call  all  the  passengers.  We 
must  take  to  the  boat,  for  the  Nantucket  is 
doomed!" 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  233 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


IT  was  still  quite  dark,  but  it  was  light  enough 
to  see  that  the  ship  had  struck  upon  a  reef.  Strain- 
ing their  eyes,  the  alarmed  passengers  could  de- 
scry land.  Indeed,  the  reef  was  an  outlying  part 
of  it. 

All  eyes  were  turned  upon  the  captain,  as  Mr. 
Holdfast  was  now  called. 

"If  I  had  had  men  enough  to  stand  watch,  this 
would  not  have  happened,"  he  said. 

"Is  there  any  hope,  Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked 
Montgomery  Clinton,  clasping  his  hands  in  terror. 

"Plenty  of  it,"  answered  the  mate,  curtly,  "but 
we  must  leave  the  ship." 

Under  his  direction  the  remaining  boat — for 
Capt.  Hill  and  his  companions  had  only  taken 
away  one — was  lowered.  Steering  clear  of  the 
reef,  they  found  themselves  in  a  cove,  bordered  on 
three  sides  by  land.  By  the  light,  now  rapidly  in- 


234  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

creasing,  they  saw  grass  and  trees,  and  the  sight 
gladdened  them  in  spite  of  the  grave  peril  that 
menaced  them. 

"Mr.  Holdfast,"  said  Clinton,  anxiously, 
"won't  you  let  me  go  back  for  my  wardrobe?  I 
can't  get  along  without  that,  don't  you  know?" 

"I  don't  think  it's  the  fashion  to  wear  clothes 
here,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said  the  mate,  his  eye  twink- 
ling. "You'll  be  sure  to  be  in  fashion." 

"But  that's  horrid,  you  know.  I  assure  you  I 
don't  care  to  imitate  the  natives." 

"Provisions  are  of  the  first  importance,  Mr. 
Clinton,"  said  Holdfast,  seriously.  "After  that 
we  will  save  what  we  can." 

They  put  on  the  boat  as  large  a  supply  of  stores 
as  they  dared,  and  then  rowed  ashore.  Landing 
the  passengers,  Holdfast  selected  Jack  and  Harry, 
and  went  back  to  the  ship  for  a  further  supply. 

"We  must  lay  in  as  much  as  we  can,  for  we 
don't  know  how  long  we  are  to  remain  here,"  he 
said. 

When  the  second  trip  had  been  made,  it  was  de- 
cided to  rest  for  a  time  and  eat  breakfast. 


FACING  THE   WORLD.          235 

The  little  group  gathered  on  a  bluff  looking  out 
to  sea,  and  sitting  down,  ate  heartily.  By  this 
time  the  sun  had  made  its  appearance,  and  it  bade 
fair  to  be  a  pleasant  day. 

"Have  you  any  idea  where  we  are,  Mr.  Hold- 
fast?" asked  Mr.  Stubbs. 

"I  only  know  that  we  are  on  an  island.  There 
is  no  mainland  near  here,"  answered  the  com- 
mander 

"It  seems  to  be  a  large  one,  then.  While  you 
were  gone  with  the  boys,  I  ascended  a  tree,  and, 
looking  inland,  could  not  see  the  ocean  in  that  di- 
rection." 

"What  tree  did  you  climb,  Mr.  Stubbs?"  asked 
Harry. 

Mr.  Stubbs  pointed  it  out. 

"There's  another  one  higher  and  on  higher 
ground.  Mr.  Clinton,  won't  you  climb  it,  and  see 
what  you  can  discover?"  asked  Harry,  mischiev- 
ously. 

"Really,  Mr.  Vane,"  answered  Clinton,  in  great 
trepidation,  "I  couldn't  think  of  it.  I  am  quite 
sure  I  should  tear  my  trousers,  and  they  are  the 


23*          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

only  ones  I  have  here.  I  wish  the  captain  would 
let  me  go  to  the  ship  and  get  the  balance  of  my 
wardrobe." 

"Do  you  think  you  could  manage  this  boat  alone, 
Mr.  Clinton?"  asked  the  mate. 

"Good  gracious,  no.  Perhaps  Mr.  Vane  would 
go  with  me." 

"I  feel  like  exploring  the  island,"  said  Harry; 
"who  will  go  with  me?" 

Curious  to  see  what  kind  of  a  new  home  they 
had,  all  set  out.  First,  however,  the  professor 
asked : 

"How  long  before  the  ship  is  likely  to  go  to 
pieces,  Mr.  Holdfast?" 

"Not  under  a  day  or  two  in  this  weather,"  was 
the  answer.  "Later  in  the  day  I  will  board  her 
again." 

They  struck  inland  and  walked  for  about  two 
miles.  There  were  trees  and  plants  such  as  they 
had  never  seen  before,  and  the  songs  of  unknown 
birds  floated  out  upon  the  air.  It  was  certainly  a 
delightful  change  from  the  contracted  life  they  had 
been  leading  upon  shipboard. 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          237 

"Do  you  think  the  island  is  inhabited?"  asked 
Harry. 

"I  know  no  more  about  it  than  you  do,  my  lad," 
answered  Holdfast. 

"Suppose  we  should  meet  with  a  pack  of  savages 
armed  with  spears!"  suggested  Harry,  with  a  side 

look  at  Clinton,  who  was  walking  soberly  beside 
him. 

"Oh,  good  gracious!  Mr.  Holdfast,  do  you 
think  we  will?"  asked  that  young  gentleman, 
nervously. 

"We  must  do  the  best  we  can.  I  take  it  we  are 
all  brave,  and  would  be  willing  to  fight." 

"Certainly,"  said  Harry;  "I  can  answer  for  Mr. 
Clinton  and  myself." 

"Oh !  but  really,  now,  I  don't  think  I  could 
fight  with  savages,  you  know,"  said  Clinton,  turn- 
ing pale.  "We'd  better  go  back,  don't  you 
know." 

"You  can  go  back,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said  Mr. 
Stubbs.  "As  for  me,  I  am  going  forward." 

"But  I  shouldn't  dare  to  go  back  alone.  They 
might  surprise  me,  you  know." 


23&          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"I  am  quite  sure  you  would  surprise  them,  Mr. 
Clinton,"  said  the  professor,  smiling. 

"Do  you  think  so,  really?"  said  the  dude,  not 
understanding  the  significance  of  this  remark. 

"I  am  sure  of  it." 

"Won't  you  go  back  with  me,  Mr.  Vane?" 

"No,  Mr.  Clinton;  I  am  curious  to  explore  our 
new  home." 

"I  wish  I  was  back  in  Brooklyn,"  sighed  Clin- 
ton. 

"I  should  rather  be  there  myself,"  said  Harry. 
"Yet,  if  I  were  only  sure  of  it,  I  should  not  mind 
staying  here  a  while." 

"I  wonder,"  said  Mr.  Stubbs,  reflectively,  "if 
anyone  were  ever  shipwrecked  on  this  island  be- 
fore." 

"I  think  it  quite  likely,"  said  the  mate.  "It  is, 
it  seems,  pretty  large.  If  it  were  located  within  a 
convenient  distance  of  New  York,  I  should  not  be 
surprised  if  it  were  a  favorite  summer  resort." 

"I  am  afraid,  Harry,"  said  the  professor,  "that 
it  will  hardly  pay  to  give  one  of  our  magical  enter- 
tainments here." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  239 

"Unless  the  island  should  be  inhabited,"  sug- 
gested Harry. 

"Even  in  that  case,  I  doubt  whether  the  enter- 
tainment would  be  within  the  comprehension  -  of 
the  dusky  savages  who  might  be  found  here." 

"Think,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said  Harry,  "how  the 
dusky  maidens  would  admire  you !  I  am  not  sure 
but  they  might  fight  among  themselves  for  your 
favor." 

The  young  man  from  Brooklyn  didn't  appear 
flattered  by  the  suggestion. 

"I  admire  the  fair  sex,  I  admit,"  he  said,  "but 
when  it  comes  to  copper-colored  savages,  I  would 
rather  be  excused,  don't  you  know?  I  was  a  great 
favorite  with  the  young  ladies  of  Brooklyn,  and 
had  no  end  of  invitations  to  parties.  If  they  could 
only  see  me  now !"  he  concluded,  with  a  sigh. 

After  a  considerable  walk,  they  reached  a  grove 
of  trees,  bearing  a  different  leaf  from  any  to  which 
they  were  accustomed.  They  did  not  appear  to 
produce  fruit  of  any  kind,  but  were  comely  and  af- 
forded a  grateful  shade.  This  was  the  more  ap- 
preciated, because  the  sun  had  begun  to  make  its 


24o  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

heat  felt,  and  a  feeling  of  languor  diffused  itself 
over  all. 

"I  move  we  squat  here  a  while,"  said  Mr. 
Stubbs,  quaintly. 

"Very  well,"  said  the  mate.  "We  have  all  day 
before  us,  and  I  am  afraid  a  great  many  to  come, 
in  which  we  may  explore  the  island." 

All  threw  themselves  on  the  grass  without  cere- 
mony, except  Mr.  Clinton,  who  carefully  drew 
from  his  pocket  a  linen  handkerchief,  and  spead 
it  out  to  sit  upon. 

Harry  smiled. 

"You  are  more  careful  than  the  rest  of  us,  Mr. 
Clinton,"  he  said. 

"I  don't  want  to  soil  my  trousers,"  said  Clin- 
ton. 

"Especially  as  you  don't  know  when  you  can 
get  another  pair,"  suggested  Stubbs.  "Really, 
my  young  friend,  I  am  a  little  curious  as  to  how  we 
will  all  be  looking  a  year  hence,  if  we  stay  here  as 
long.  Ten  to  one  we  shall  have  to  extemporize 
new  garments  of  sailcloth." 

"Oh!  Mr.  Stubbs,  don't  mention  such  a  horrid 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  24r 

thing,"  said  Clinton,  with  an  expression  of  anguish. 

"I  think  you  would  look  rather  picturesque,  Mr. 
Clinton,  in  a  sailcloth  suit,"  said  Harry,  smiling 
mischievously. 

All  laughed  except  Clinton,  to  whom  the  sub- 
ject was  a  very  solemn  one. 


242          FACING   THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

PREPARING    A     HOME. 

THEY  returned  to  the  shore  about  noon,  and 
sitting  down  on  the  bluff,  ate  heartily  of  the 
stores  they  had  brought  with  them  from  the  ship. 
They  had  brought  no  water,  but,  fortunately,  dis- 
covered a  spring  on  their  homeward  walk,  which 
promised  a  constant  supply  of  refreshing  drink. 

"This  seems  like  a  picnic,"  said  Harry,  as  they 
sat  down  on  the  grass  with  the  food  in  the  center. 

"I  am  afraid  it  will  prove  a  larger  picnic  than 
we  care  for,"  remarked  the  professor. 

"Speaking  of  picnics,"  said  Mr.  Clinton,  "re- 
minds me  of  this  time  last  year.  I  was  sojourning 
in  the  country.  I  went  to  a  picnic  with  two  beauti- 
ful creatures.  Ton  my  word,  they  actually  got 
jealous  of  each  other.  Each  thought  I  liked  the 
other  best.  I  found  it  very  embarrassing,  don't 
you  know." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  243 

"I  should  think  you  would,"  said  Harry,  smil- 
ing. "How  did  it  turn  out?" 

"There  was  a  small  lake  in  the  picnic  grounds, 
and  they  insisted  on  my  taking  them  out  in  a  row- 
boat." 

"Of  course  you  did." 

"Certainly.  I  couldn't  refuse,  don't  you  know." 

"Did  you  row,  or  they?"  asked  Mr.  Stubbs. 

"Well,  you  see,  they  wanted  to  row,  and  I  let 
them.  After  a  while  one  of  them  asked  me  a  very 
embarrassing  question." 

"What  was  it?" 

"She  asked:  'Suppose  the  boat  was  to  upset,  Mr. 
Clinton,  which  of  us  would  you  save,  Sarah  or 
me?'  But  she  didn't  catch  me.  I  answered:  'I 
shouldn't  know  which  to  choose,  and  so  I  think  I 
should  save  myself." 

"How  did  that  answer  suit  her?" 

"She  got  mad — some  girls  are  so  unreasonable, 
don't  you  know?  But  then,  if  I  had  said  I  would 
save  her,  Sarah  would  have  been  mad." 

All  laughed  at  Mr.  Clinton's  reminiscence,  but 
he  sighed  sadly  as  he  thought  of  the  happy  past, 


244          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

and  contrasted   with   it   the   unpromising  present. 

When  dinner  was  over,  if  their  informal  meal 
can  be  dignified  by  the  name,  Mr.  Holdfast  said: 

"I  think  we  had  better  make  another  trip  to  the 
ship,  and  bring  back  what  we  can.  We  shall  need 
a  further  supply  of  provisions,  and  there  will  be 
other  things  that  will  occur  to  us  as  likely  to  be 
needed." 

"Won't  you  bring  my  wardrobe,  Mr.  Hold- 
fast?" asked  Clinton,  anxiously.  "I  want  to  put 
on  my  striped  trousers." 

"Your  wardrobe  can  wait,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said 
Holdfast,  curtly.  "There  are  plenty  of  things  we 
need  more  than  trousers." 

"May  I  go  with  you]  Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked 
Harry. 

"Yes,"  answered  the  mate;  "I  will  take  you  and 
Jack,  and  Mr.  Stubbs,  too,  may  come,  if  he  will." 

"I  am  quite  at  your  command,  captain,"  said 
the  Yankee. 

"Then  you  don't  want  me?"  said  Prof.  Hemen- 
way,  good-naturedly. 

"You  are  rather  stout,  professor,  and  a  little 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  245 

clumsy.      Perhaps  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  re- 
main with  Mr.  Clinton  and  entertain  him." 

"He  is  more  likely  to  entertain  me,"  said  the 
magician,  smiling. 

"You  are  awfuly  kind,  professor,"  said  Clin- 
ton, who  took  the  remark  in  a  complimentary 
sense. 

"Not  at  all,"  was  the  professor's  smiling  dis- 
claimer. 

Nothing  suited  Harry  better  than  to  make  one 
of  the  expedition.  He  and  Jack  clambered  up  the 
ship's  sides,  and  chased  each  other  with  boyish  fun. 
Jack  had  no  fear  of  a  stern  rebuke  from  Mr.  Hold- 
fast, who  had  a  sympathy  with  the  young.  He 
would  not  have  dared  to  take  such  liberties  with 
Capt.  Hill. 

"How  long  do  you  think  the  ship  will  hold  to- 
gether, Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked  Stubbs. 

"For  a  week,  perhaps,  unless  the  sea  becomes 
rough,  and  dashes  her  against  the  reef  with  vio- 
lence." 

"At  present  she  seems  motionless." 

c'Yes,  she  is  not  at  present  receiving  any  damage. 


246  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

It  will  be  a  sad  day  when  she  goes  to  pieces,"  con- 
tinued the  mate,  gravely. 

"Yes,  but  it  will  hardly  make  our  position  worse. 
There  is  no  chance  of  our  making  any  use  of  her, 
I  take  it." 

"You  don't  quite  understand  me,"  said  Hold- 
fast. "A  sailor  gets  to  feel  an  attachment  for  the 
craft  he  sails  on,  and  she  seems  to  him  something 
like  a  living  creature.  This  is  my  first  voyage  on 
the  old  Nantucket,  but  it  will  grieve  me  to  see  her 
disappear." 

"You  take  a  romantic  view  of  it,  captain.  Never 
having  been  a  sailor,  I  can't  quite  show  your  reel- 
ings. Still,  I  shall  feel  rather  lonely  when  the 
old  hulk  collapses.  It'll  be  breaking  the  last  tie 
that  connects  us  with  home  and  friends,  as  it  were." 

It  was  not  easy  to  decide  of  what  the  boat's  load 
should  consist.  In  the  main,  provisions  were  taken 
as  an  article  of  first  necessity.  Some  clothing, 
also,  was  selected,  and  among  the  rest,  at  Harry's 
instance,  an  extra  pair  of  Mr.  Clinton's  trousers. 

Stubbs  and  Holdfast  laughed  when  Harry  came 
up  from  below  with  them  hanging  over  his  arm. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  247 

"There  are  other  articles  of  more  consequence," 
said  the  mate. 

"Not  to  him,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  replied  Harry, 
with  a  smile. 

"He  wants  to  be  a  dude  even  on  a  desert  island," 
said  Stubbs,  shrugging  his  shoulders. 

"I  may  take  them,  may  I  not,  Mr.  Holdfast?" 

"Yes,  if  you  like.  They  seem  to  be  what  he 
most  cares  for." 

Great  was  the  delight  of  Clinton  when  Harry 
stepped  out  of  the  boat  with  his  beloved  trousers 
in  his  hands. 

"You  are  awfully  kind,  Mr.  Vane,"  he  said. 
"They  are  my  nicest  pair,  too.  I  paid  fifteen  dol- 
lars for  them." 

"Very  suitable  to  wear  here,  Mr.  Clinton,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Stubbs.  "It  is  a  pity  there  are  not 
more  people  to  admire  them." 

"It's  a  satisfaction  to  be  well  dressed  even  if  you 
are  alone,"  observed  Clinton,  gazing  at  his  trousers 
with  rapture. 

"I  never  cared  much  for  clothes,"  said  Mr. 
Stubbs. 


,348          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"I  shouldn't  think  he  did,"  said  Clinton  after- 
wards, in  confidence  to  Harry.  "Have  you 
noticed  how  baggy  and  shapeless  his  trousers  are? 
Really,  I  think  he  must  have  employed  Noah's 
tailor.  They  look  as  if  they  came  out  of  the  ark, 
don't  you  know." 

It  was  decided  not  to  make  another  trip  to  the 
ship  that  day.  Mr.  Holdfast  expressed  the  opin- 
ion that  the  Nantucket  was  not  in  any  immediate 
danger  of  going  to  pieces,  and  there  was  other 
work  on  hand. 

"Do  you  know  anything  about  the  climate  here, 
Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked  the  professor. 

"I  don't  think  it  is  ever  cold.  It  is  too  far 
south  for  that." 

"I  mean  as  to  the  chance  of  rain.  I  am  told 
that  in  these  tropical  places,  rain  comes  on  very 
suddenly  at  times." 

"I  suspect  this  is  the  dry  season,  professor." 

"Still,  it  may  be  wise  to  provide  ourselves  with 
some  shelter." 

"True;  have  you  anything  to  suggest?" 

"It  occurred  to  me  that  we  might  procure  some 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  249 

of  the  sails,  and  use  as  a  roof  covering,  to  shield  us 
from  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  from  any  unexpected 
showers." 

"A  very  good  idea.  I  am  glad  you  mentioned 
it.  On  the  whole,  I  think  I  will  make  one  more 
trip  to  the  ship  this  afternoon  for  the  special  pur- 
pose of  bringing  back  materials  for  a  roof.  Then 
we  can  put  it  up  to-night." 

"Better  bring  hatchets,  if  there  are  any  on 
board,  some  nails  and  cordage." 

"Also  well  thought  of.  You  arc  a  practical 
man,  professor." 

"We  shall  all  have  to  think  for  the  general  bene- 
fit. I  am  sorry  I  can't  do  more  work,  but  I  never 
was  handy  at  tools." 

"I  am,"  said  Stubbs.  "In  fact,  most  Yankees 
are,  and  I  am  a  Yankee.  You  can  command  my 
services,  Mr.  Holdfast,  in  any  way  that  you  see 
fit." 

Mr.  Holdfast  made  another  trip  to  the  vessel, 
and  brought  back  quite  an  expanse  of  sailcloth. 
All  hands,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Clinton,  went 
to  work  at  once,  and  by  sunset  a  considerable  space 


250          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

was  roofed  over,  which  the  .little  company  re- 
garded with  complacency. 

"Aren't  you  going  to  have  any  sides  or  doors?" 
asked  Clinton. 

"That  can  be  considered  hereafter,"  said  Hold- 
fast. "I  don't  think  we  shall  need  any,  since  the 
probability  is  that  the  island  is  not  inhabited." 

The  next  morning  a  great  surprise  awaited 
them. 


FACING   THE   WORLD.  251 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

AN    UNEXPECTED   ARRIVAL. 

IT  might  have  been  because  it  was  the  first  night 
on  land,  or  perhaps  because  they  were  unusually 
fatigued,  but  at  any  rate  the  little  party  slept  un- 
usually late.  The  first  one  to  awake  was  Harry 
Vane.  It  took  very  little  time  for  him  to  dress, 
since  he  had  only  taken  off  his  coat.  He  glanced 
at  his  slumbering  companions,  who  were  scattered 
about  in  different  postures.  Next  to  him  was 
Montgomery  Clinton,  who  had  carefully  placed 
two  handkerchiefs  underneath  him  lest  his  apparel 
should  be  soiled  by  contact  with  the  earth.  He 
had  been  rather  reluctant  to  sleep  in  so  unconven- 
tional a  manner,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it. 

"Really,  Mr.  Vane,"  he  said,  "I  never  slept  on 
the  ground  before.  I  don't  know  what  my  dear 
auntie  would  say  if  she  could  see  me  now.  She 
always  gave  me  a  nice  bed  with  linen  sheets,  don't 
you  know,  and  was  so  particular  that  I  was  made 
comfortable." 


252          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

"It  won't  do  us  any  harm  to  rough  it  a  little, 
Mr.  Clinton,"  said  Harry.  "It  will  make  men  of 
us." 

"I  don't  care  about  roughing  it,"  said  Clinton, 
rather  mournfully.  "It's  horribly  uncomfortable, 
and  I  don't  see  the  good  of  it." 

"I  don't  think  you'll  find  any  linen  sheets  on  the 
island,"  said  Harry,  smiling,  "unless  you  put  one 
handkerchief  on  the  grass,  and  spread  the  other 
over  you." 

"That's  a  good  idea,  Mr.  Vane.  I'm  awfully 
obliged.  I'll  put,,  two  handkerchiefs  on  the  grass 
and  that  will  save  my  trousers  from  being  soiled." 

Harry  could  not  help  wondering  how  long  Clin- 
ton would  be  able  to  be  so  particular  about  his  ap- 
pearance, but  he  did  not  harrow  up  that  young 
gentleman's  feeings  by  a  prediction  as  to  the  fu- 
ture. 

"I'll  go  up  to  the  spring,  and  have  a  wash," 
Harry  decided.  "I  won't  wake  anybody,  for 
there's  no  hurry  about  getting  up." 

Returning  from  the  spring,  Harry  for  the  first 
time  looked  in  the  direction  of  the  ship.  What 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  253 

he  saw  filled  him  with  amazement.  The  wreck, 
which  he  had  thought  deserted,  was  alive  with 
men.  He  saw  a  dozen  on  deck,  including  two 
who  were  obviously  not  sailors.  He  could  not  im- 
mediately discern  the  figures,  and  ran  hastily  to  the 
top  of  the  bluff.  Then  he  made  the  startling  dis- 
covery that  these  intruders  were  the  captain  and 
his  companions,  who  had  abandoned  the  ship  in 
the  expectation  that  it  was  doomed,  and  after  float- 
ing about  in  the  long  boat  had  by  a  wonderful  co- 
incidence drifted  to  the  very  point  which  they 
themselves  had  reached. 

Harry  did  not  know  whether  to  be  glad  or  sorry. 
He  felt  that  there  was  likely  to  be  antagonism  be- 
tween the  two  parties.  All  was  harmony  at  pres- 
ent under  the  management  of  Mr.  Holdfast,  but 
this  was  not  likely  to  last.  Would  the  captain  as- 
sume general  command,  and  interfere  with  their 
arrangements?  From  what  he  knew  of  him,  he 
thought  it  likely.  Of  course  he  was  glad  that  the 
chief  officer  and  his  companions  were  saved,  but 
he  would  have  preferred  that  they  had  drifted  in 
some  other  direction. 


254          FACING   THE   WORLD. 

The  news  was  too  important  to  keep,  and  he  re- 
turned to  their  encampment,  and  entering,  ap- 
proached the  mate,  wHo  was  sleeping  soundly.  He 
leaned  over  and  shook  him  gently. 

"Mr.  Holdfast!"  he  cried. 

The  mate  slowly  opened  his  eyes  and  started  up. 

"What's  the  matter?"  he  asked.  "Has  any- 
thing happened?" 

"I've  got  great  news  for  you,  Mr.  Holdfast. 
Capt.  Hill  has  arrived." 

"What!"  exclaimed  the  mate,  in  amazement. 
"Arrived — where  ?" 

"He  is  at  this  moment  on  the  Nantucket,  with 
all  the  men  that  accompanied  him  in  the  long  boat." 

Uttering  an  exclamation  of  amazement,  Mr. 
Holdfast  sprang  from  the  ground,  and  hastily 
made  his  way  to  the  edge  of  the  bluff. 

"By  Jove!"  said  he,  "you're  right.  I  never 
heard  of  anything  more  wonderful." 

Harry  could  not  tell  from  the  expression  of  his 
face  whether  he  considered  the  news  good  or  not. 

"Go  and  wake  up  the  rest,  Harry,"  he  said. 
"They  will  be  surprised,  too." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  255 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  news  produced  sur- 
prise and  excitement.  All  hurried  to  the  edge  of 
the  bluff,  and  Mr.  Clinton,  in  his  excitement,  waved 
one  of  his  extemporized  sheets. 

"There's  that  fool  again!"  said  Capt.  Hill,  as 
looking  shorewards,  he  observed  this  signal. 

It  was  fortunate  for  Mr.  Clinton  that  he  did  not 
hear  this  remark. 

"Will  they  come  on  shore,  do  you  think?" 
asked  Harry,  of  the  mate. 

"They  will  have  to;  but  I  shall  at  once  go  out 
to  the  ship  to  report  to  my  superior  officer.  You 
and  Jack  may  go  with  me." 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  both  boys  were  very 
glad  to  accept  this  invitation.  The  rest  of  the  party 
remained  on  shore  and  watched  the  boat's  course. 

"What  will  be  the  issue  of  this,  Mr.  Stubbs?" 
asked  the  professor,  thoughtfully. 

"I  am  afraid  there  will  be  friction.  The  cap- 
tain is  a  natural  despot,  and  he  will  undertake  to 
control  us." 

"He  can  have  no  authority  after  the  ship  is 
wrecked." 


256          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"He  will  claim  it,  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Stubbs. 
The  fact  is,  I  am  rather  sorry  he  hadn't  managed 
to  drift  to  another  island.  Mr.  Holdfast  is  a 
must  more  agreeable  man  to  deal  with." 

"I  agree  with  you.  As  a  passenger,  I  shall  not 
recognize  the  captain's  authority  on  shore." 

"Nor  I." 

Meanwhile,  the  mate  and  the  two  boys  had 
pulled  to  the  ship,  and  securing  the  boat,  scrambled 
on  deck. 

"Good-morning,  Capt.  Hill;  I  am  glad  to  meet 
you  once  more,"  said  the  mate. 

"Humph!"  growled  the  captain,  not  over 
politely.  "When  did  you  reach  here?" 

"Yesterday  morning." 

"Where  are  the  rest  of  your  party?" 

"We  have  a  little  camp  just  back  of  the  bluff." 

"I  see  you  have  been  removing  articles  from  the 
ship,"  continued  the  captain,  in  a  tone  of  disap- 
proval. 

"Certainly,"  answered  the  mate.  "We  need 
them,  and  I  didn't  know  how  long  the  ship  would 
last." 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          257 

"It  seems  in  no  immediate  danger  of  going  to 
pieces." 

"Things  look  more  favorable  than  they  did  yes- 
terday morning.  What  sort  of  a  trip  did  you 
have  in  the  boat?" 

"A  curious  question  to  ask,"  said  the  captain, 
captiously.  "We  were  in  danger  of  being 
swamped  more  than  once." 

"We  had  better  have  remained  on  board  the 
Nantucket  with  you,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  said  Apple- 
ton,  the  Melbourne  merchant. 

Capt.  Hill  chose  to  take  offense  at  this  remark. 

"You  were  quite  at  liberty  to  stay,  Mr.  Apple- 
ton,"  he  said.  "I  didn't  urge  you  to  go  with  me." 

"True,  Capt.  Hill;  but  I  trusted  to  your  opinion 
that  the  ship  was  unsafe." 

The  captain  looked  angry,  but  did  not  make  any 
reply. 

By  the  sailors,  Mr.  Holdfast  was  warmly 
greeted.  He  was  much  better  liked  than  the  cap- 
tain, being  a  man  of  even  temper,  and  reasonable 
in  his  demands. 

"Good-morning,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  said  Marma- 


25 8  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

duke  Timmins,  the  valetudinarian.  "I  am  glad  to 
be  out  of  that  miserable  boat." 

"Then  you  didn't  have  a  good  time." 

"I  came  near  dying,  sir.  I  managed  to  lose 
overboard  all  the  pills  and  powders  I  carried  with 
me,  and,  if  you  will  believe  it,  I  haven't  taken  any 
medicine  for  four  entire  days." 

"You  don't  seem  any  the  worse  for  it,  that  I  can 
see.  Indeed,  you  seem  to  be  less  sallow." 

Mr.  Timmins  shook  his  head  in  a  melancholy 
way. 

"You  can't  depend  upon  surface  indications," 
he  said.  "I  feel" — striking  his  breast — "that  I 
am  worse,  much  worse." 

"I  hope,  then,  you  have  more  pills  on  board," 
said  the  mate,  politely. 

"Yes,  fortunately.  I  could  not  have  lived  long 
without  them." 

"That  man  is  a  greater  fool  than  Clinton," 
thought  Holdfast.  "One  poisons  himself  with 
drugs,  while  the  other  only  indulges  a  little  harm- 
less vanity." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  259 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE  LAST  OF  THE   UNANTUCKET." 

THOUGH  the  mate  had  removed  some  of  the 
stores,  much  the  larger  portion  was  left  on  board, 
for  the  Nan  tucket  had  been  provisioned  for  a  long 
voyage.  Yet  Capt.  Hill  saw  fit  to  complain. 

"It  is  fortunate  that  you  didn't  take  all  the 
stores,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  he  remarked,  in  a  sarcastic 
tone. 

The  mate  eyed  the  captain  steadily. 

"May  I  ask  your  meaning,  Capt.  Hill?"  he 
asked. 

"I  mean  what  I  say,  sir.  I  think  my  language 
requires  no  interpreter." 

"Then  I  can  only  reply  that  it  would  have  made 
no  difference  if  I  had  removed  all  the  provisions." 

"You  appear  to  forget  that  I  am  your  superic 
officer,"  said  the  captain,  in  a  heat. 

"I  had  no  superior  officer  at  the  time  I  ordered 
the  removal." 


260          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"You  have  now,  at  any  rate." 

"We  are  not  at  sea,  Capt.  Hill.  The  vessel  is 
wrecked,  and  all  distinctions  are  at  an  end.  Now 
it  is  each  for  himself." 

"So,  sir,  you  defy  my  authority!''  exclaimed  the 
captain,  looking  black. 

"I  don't  recognize  it,  that  is  all,  sir,"  answered 
Mr.  Holdfast. 

"You  shall,  sir!"  retorted  the  captain,  frowning. 
"You  shall  learn,  also,  that  I  have  means  to  en- 
force it.  I  have  nearly  a  dozen  seamen  under  me 
and  you  have  only  the  boy,  Jack  Pendleton." 

"Capt.  Hill,  all  this  is  very  foolish.  We  are 
shipwrecked,  and  have  taken  refuge  on  the  same 
island.  Instead  of  quarreling,  we  should  help 
each  other." 

"So  you  presume  to  lecture  me!"  sneered  the 
captain. 

Mr.  Holdfast  didn't  care  to  continue  the  dis- 
pute. 

"I  am  ready  to  help  you  remove  what  you  re- 
quire," he  said,  quietly.  "It  will  be  well  to  re- 
move as  much  as  possible  to-day,  for  we  may  at  any 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  261 

time  have  a  storm,  that  will  effectually  put  an  end 
to  our  work." 

"Very  well,  sir;  I  am  glad  you  show  a  better 
spirit." 

The  mate  was  both  annoyed  and  amused  at  this 
evident  intention  to  throw  upon  him  the  whole 
onus  of  the  quarrel,  but  he  did  not  care  to  reply. 
He  and  the  two  boys  helped  remove  the  stores,  and 
it  being  quite  early,  by  noon  several  boat  loads 
had  been  deposited  on  shore,  to  be  removed  far- 
ther inland  when  there  was  a  good  opportuity. 
One  thing  Mr.  Holdfast  noted  with  apprehension. 
There  was  a  considerably  quantity  of  brandy  and 
other  spirits  in  the  captain's  cabin,  which  he  took 
care  to  have  included  in  the  articles  removed.  Re- 
membering the  captain's  weakness,  he  feared  this 
might  lead  to  trouble.  But  he  did  not  take  it 
upon  himself  to  remonstrate,  knowing  that  in  the 
state  of  the  captain's  feeling  toward  him  it  would 
be  worse  than  useless. 

By  three  o'clock  about  all  the  stores,  with  other 
needful  articles,  had  been  removed,  and  there  was 
a  large  pile  on  the  bluff. 


262  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Captain,  will  you  walk  over  and  see  my  en- 
campment?" asked  Holdfast,  now  that  there  was 
leisure. 

"Lead  on,  sir,"  said  the  captain,  not  over- 
politely. 

It  was  not  far  away  and  a  short  walk  brou^' 
them  in  front  of  it. 

"Perhaps  you  will  feel  inclined  to  settle  near 
by,"  suggested  Holdfast. 

"No,  sir;  I  don't  care  to  intrude  upon  you." 

Eventually  the  captain  selected  a  spot  about  half 
a  mile  away.  Here  an  encampment  was  made, 
very  similar  to  the  mate's,  but  on  a  larger  scale. 

"I  am  glad  the  captain  is  not  close  alongside," 
said  Jack  Pendleton. 

"So  am  I,"  answered  Harry,  to  whom  this  re- 
mark was  made.  "We  are  better  off  by  our- 
selves." 

"He  would  be  sure  to  interfere  with  us.  I  saw 
him  scowling  at  me  more  than  once  this  morning. 
You  know  he  don't  like  me." 

"Nor  me  either,  Jack.  It  will  be  well  for  both 
of  us  to  keep  out  of  his  way." 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  263 

To  the  great  delight  of  Clinton,  more  of  his 
"wardrobe,"  as  he  called  it,  was  brought  ashore. 
For  this  he  was  indebted  to  the  good-natured  per- 
sistence of  Harry,  who,  though  amused  at  the 
vanity  of  the  young  man  from  Brooklyn,  felt  dis- 
posed to  gratify  him  in  a  harmless  whim. 

"You  are  awfully  kind,  Mr.  Vane,"  said  Clin- 
ton. "Did  you  save  your  own  wardrobe?" 

"I  have  an  extra  pair  of  pants,  and  some  under- 
clothing." 

"Don't  say  pants — it's  vulgar.  Say  trousers," 
expostulated  Clinton. 

"It  comes  to  the  same  thing,  I  fancy,"  said 
Harry,  with  a  smile. 

"If  you  should  get  short  of  clothing  I'll  give 
you  a  pair  of  my  trousers,"  said  Clinton,  gener- 
ously. 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Clinton." 

Harry  doubted,  however,  whether  he  should 
avail  himself  of  the  offer.  Clinton's  limbs  were 
exceedingly  attenuated  and  his  trousers  were  an  ex- 
act fit.  Now,  Harry  had  a  sturdy  pair  of  legs,  and 
felt  sure  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  them  into 


264          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

his  companion's  trousers.  He  contented  himself, 
however,  with  thanking  him. 

The  two  parties  remained  apart,  the  original 
company  remaining  with  the  captain,  while  four 
passengers  and  Jack  Pendleton  stayed  with  the 
mate.  Capt.  Hill  showed  a  disposition  to  claim 
Jack,  but  Holdfast  said,  quietly:  "I  think,  cap- 
tain, Jack  had  better  stay  with  me  for  the  present, 
as  he  is  company  for  Harry  Vane." 

The  captain  looked  dissatisfied,  but  was  too  tired 
to  remonstrate  at  that  time.  He  went  to  his  own 
encampment,  and  indulged  in  liberal  potations  of 
brandy,  which  had  the  effect  of  sending  him  to 
sleep. 

That  night  a  violent  wind  sprang  up.  It  blew 
from  the  sea  inland,  and  though  it  did  not  affect 
the  shipwrecked  parties  or  their  encampment  seri- 
ously, on  account  of  their  being  screened  by  the 
intervening  bluff,  it  had  another  effect  which  a  day 
or  two  previous  might  have  been  disastrous.  The 
ill-fated  Nantucket  was  driven  with  such  force 
against  the  reef  that  the  strength  of  its  hull  was 
overtaxed.  When  the  mate  went  to  the  edge  of 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  265 

the  bluff  in  the  morning  to  take  an  observation,  he 
was  startled  to  find  in  place  of  the  wreck  a  con- 
fused debris  of  timbers,  and  fragments  of  the 
wreck.  Kegs  and  chests  which  it  had  not  been 
thought  necessary  to  move  had  been  thrown  upon 
the  reef,  and  the  elements  had  done  a  work  of  de- 
struction which  the  skill  of  man  would  have  found 
it  hard  to  repair. 

As  the  mate  was  surveying  the  scene  of  ruin, 
Jack  and  Harry  joined  him. 

"Look  there,  my  lads!"  said  Holdfast.  "That's 
the  last  of  the  poor  old  Nantucket.  She  will  never 
float  again." 

They  had  known  this  before,  but  it  was  now  im- 
pressed upon  their  minds  forcibly,  and  a  feeling  of 
sadness  came  over  the  three. 

"That  settles  it,"  said  Harry,  giving  expression 
to  a  common  feeling.  "We  are  prisoners  on  the 
island  now,  and  no  mistake." 

"When  we  leave  here,  it  won't  be  on  the  Nan- 
tucket,  anyway,"  said  Jack. 

"It  is  lucky  this  happened  after  we  had  brought 
our  stock  of  provisions  ashore,''  said  the  mate. 


266  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Let  us  go  down  and  see  what  these  kegs  and 
boxes  contain,"  suggested  Harry. 

So  the  three  descended  to  the  reef,  and  began  to 
examine  the  articles  thrown  ashore.  For  the  most 
part  they  were  of  little  value,  though  here  and 
there  were  articles  that  might  prove  useful. 

"Couldn't  we  make  a  raft  out  of  the  timbers  of 
the  old  ship?"  asked  Jack. 

"That  is  worth  thinking  of,  though  a  raft  would 
not  do  for  a  long  voyage,"  said  Holdfast. 

"No,  but  we  might  be  picked  up." 

"When  the  captain's  party  is  awake  it  will  be 
well  for  us  to  haul  the  loose  timbers  up  to  a  place 
of  safety." 

"Here's  Clinton's  trunk,"  said  Harry,  bending 
over  and  recognizing  the  initials.  "Here  is  the 
name,  *M.  C.,  Brooklyn.'  He  will  be  overjoyed. 
Suppose  we  take  it  up  between  us." 

No  opposition  being  made  by  Mr.  Holdfast,  the 
boys  took  it  between  them,  preceding  the  mate. 
They  had  just  reached  the  summit  of  the  bluff. 

"Put  down  that  trunk!"  said  a  stern  voice. 

Looking  up,  the  boys  saw  Capt.  Hill. 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          267 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

THE    CAPTAIN   INTERFERES. 

THE  captain's  face  was  a  dull,  brick-red  color, 
and  it  was  clear  that  he  had  already  been  drinking, 
early  as  it  was.  Naturally,  the  boys,  on  hearing 
his  voice,  put  down  the  trunk  in  their  surprise,  but 
they  maintained  the  position,  one  on  each  side  of 
it.  Of  the  two,  Jack  was  the  more  impressed, 
having  been  one  of  the  crew,  and  subject  to  the 
captain's  authority  on  shipboard.  Harry,  as  a 
passenger,  felt  more  independent.  Indeed  he  was 
indignant,  and  ready  to  resist  what  he  thought  un- 
called-for interference  on  the  part  of  the  captain. 

-"This  is  Mr.  Clinton's  trunk,"  he  said.  "We 
are  going  to  carry  it  to  him." 

"Do  you  dare  to  dispute  my  authority?"  roared 
the  captain,  his  red  face  becoming  still  redder. 

"I  don't  see  what  you  have  to  do  with  the 
trunk,"  answered  Harry,  boldly. 

"This  to  me!"  shrieked  the  captain,  looking  as 


268  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

if  he  were  going  to  have  a  fit  of  apoplexy.  "Do 
you  know  who  I  am?" 

"You  were  the  captain  of  the  Nantucket"  said 
Harry,  quietly. 

The  captain,  notwithstanding  his  condition, 
noticed  that  Harry  used  the  past  tense. 

"I  am  still  the  captain  of  the  Nantucket,  as  I 
mean  to  show  you,"  he  retorted. 

"Then,  sir,  you  are  captain  of  a  wreck  that  has 
gone  to  pieces." 

Capt.  Hill  upon  this  looked  at  the  fragments 
of  the  unfortunate  ship,  and  for  the  first  time  took 
in  what  had  happened. 

"It  doesn't  matter,"  said  he,  after  a  brief  pause. 
"I  am  in  command  here,  and" — here  he  interpo- 
lated an  oath — "I  don't  allow  any  interference 
with  my  authority." 

"You  are  not  captain  of  Mr.  Clinton's  trunk," 
said  Harry,  in  a  spirited  tone.  "Jack,  let  us  carry 
it  along." 

This  was  too  much  for  the  captain.  With  a 
look  of  fury  on  his  face,  he  dashed  toward  Harry, 
and  there  is  no  doubt  that  our  young  hero  was  in 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          269 

serious  danger.  He  paled  slightly,  for  he  knew 
he  was  no  match  for  the  tall,  sinewy  captain,  and 
was  half  regretting  his  independence  when  he  felt 
himself  drawn  forcibly  to  one  side,  and  in  his  place 
stood  the  mate,  sternly  eying  the  infuriated  cap- 
tain. 

"What  do  you  want  to  do,  Capt.  Hill?"  he 
asked. 

"To  crush  that  young  viper!"  shouted  the  cap- 
tain, fiercely. 

"You  shall  not  harm  a  hair  of  his  head!" 

"Is  this  mutiny,  Mr.  Holdfast?  Are  you  aware 
that  you  are  speaking  to  your  superior  officer?" 

"I  have  no  superior  officer  here,  Capt.  Hill. 
You  were  captain  on  shipboard,  but  the  ship  has 
gone  to  pieces." 

Capt.  Hill  seemed  astounded  by  this  answer. 

"Do  you  dispute  my  authority,  sir?"  he  ejacu- 
lated. 

"I  do." 

"Zounds,  sir;  this  is  mutiny." 

"Then  make  the  most  of  it,"  said  the  mate,  con- 
temptuously. 


27o          FACING    THE   WORLD. 

"I  will  have  you  put  in  irons." 

Mr.  Holdfast  smiled. 

"I  don't  think  any  irons  were  brought  ashore," 
he  said.  "You  have  been  drinking,  Capt.  Hill; 
or  you  would  not  make  such  a  foolish  threat." 

By  this  time  the  captain's  wrath  had  been  di- 
verted to  the  mate.  He  struck  out  with  his  right 
hand,  intending  to  fell  him  to  the  ground,  but,  the 
mate  swerving,  he  fell  from  the  force  of  his  abor- 
tive blow,  and  being  under  the  influence  of  his 
morning  potations,  could  not  immediately  rise. 

"Boys,"  said  Mr.  Holdfast,  "you  may  take 
hold  of  the  trunk  again,  and  go  on  with  it.  Don't 
be  afraid.  If  the  captain  makes  any  attempt  to  as- 
sault you,  he  will  have  me  to  deal  with." 

Harry  and  Jack  did  as  directed.  Jack,  how- 
ever, could  riot  help  feeling  a  little  nervous,  his  old 
fear  of  the  captain  asserting  itself.  But  Harry, 
confident  in  the  protection  of  his  good  friend,  the 
mate,  was  quite  unconcerned. 

Mr.  Holdfast  walked  on  beside  them. 

"The  captain  seems  disposed  to  make  trouble," 
he  said.  "He  fancies  that  he  is  captain  of  this  is- 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  271 

land,  as  he  was  chief  officer  of  the  Nantucket.  I 
shall  convince  him  of  his  mistake." 

"I  hope  you  won't  get  into  any  trouble  on  my 
account,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  said  Harry,  considerately. 

"Thank  you,  my  lad;  but  Tom  Holdfast  doesn't 
propose  to  let  any  man  walk  over  him,  even  if  it  is 
Jiis  old  skipper.  Now  that  the  ship  is  gone,  Capt. 
Hill  has  no  more  authority  here  than  I  have." 

As  the  captain  fell,  his  head  came  in  contact 
with  a  timber  with  such  violence  that,  combined 
with  his  condition,  he  was  forced  to  lie  where  he 
fell  for  over  an  hour. 

As  the  boys  emerged  upon  the  blufif  with  the 
trunk,  Clinton,  who  had  just  got  up,  recognized 
it,  and  ran  up  to  them,  his  face  beaming. 

"Oh,  Mr.  Vane!"  he  said,  "have  you  really 
brought  my  trunk?  You  are  awfully  kind." 

"Twenty-five  cents,  please,  Mr.  Clinton,"  said 
Harry,  smiling.  "We  don't  work  for  nothing." 

"Really,  upon  my  word,"  said  Clinton,  thrust- 
ing his  hands  into  his  pockets,  "I  am  afraid  I 
haven't  got  my  purse  with  me." 

"That's  a  pity,"  said  Harry,  gravely,  "for  I 


272  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

wanted  to  call  at  a  cheap  furnishing  goods  store 
and  buy  a  cheap  necktie.  Didn't  you,  Jack?" 

"Oh,  you're  joking!  Very  good,  upon  my 
word.  But  I'm  awfully  obliged,  don't  you  know." 

"You've  had  a  narrow  escape,  Mr.  Clinton. 
The  captain  met  us,  and  forbade  our  bringing  the 
trunk." 

"Why?"  asked  Clinton,  with  eyes  opened  wide. 

"I  think  he  wanted  it  himself." 

"But  he  couldn't  wear  my  trousers,"  said  Clin- 
ton, perplexed. 

The  mere  suggestion  of  the  burly  captain  in- 
casing his  legs  in  Clinton's  dudelike  garments  sent 
both  boys  into  a  gale  of  laughter.  Clinton  sur- 
veyed them  with  a  wondering  smile.  He  didn't 
see  the  joke. 

"You'd  better  put  the  trunk  away  whero  the  cap- 
tain won't  see  it,  or  there's  no  knowing  what  will 
happen,"  suggested  Harry. 

Then  they  had  breakfast — a  very  plain  meal,  as 
might  be  supposed.  Some  of  the  sailors  came  over 
from  the  other  camp,  and  one  of  them  asked  Mr. 
Holdfast  if  he  had  seen  the  captain. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  273 

"You  will  find  him  on  the  beach,"  answered  the 
mate.  "He  has  been  carrying  too  much  sail,  I 
think,"  he  added,  dryly. 

The  sailor  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"He  wanted  me  and  Jack  Bowling  to  stand 
watch  last  night,"  he  said.  "He  thought  he  was 
on  the  ship." 

"Did  you?" 

"We  just  stood  outside  till  he  was  asleep,  and 
then  we  turned  in." 

"He'll  never  stand  on  the  Nantucket's  deck 
again." 

"Why  not?" 

"In  the  blow  last  night  the  ship  went  to  pieces." 

The  sailor  hurried  to  the  edge  of  the  bluff,  anx- 
ious to  see  for  himself. 

"That's  so,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  he  said,  soberly. 
"Shall  we  ever  see  America  again,  think  you?" 

"A  brave  man  never  despairs,  Tom.  We  can 
rig  up  a  raft  or  something.  Meanwhile,  we've 
got  enough  to  eat  for  a  couple  of  months.  There's 
some  satisfaction  in  that." 

"And  the  captain  saved  his  brandy.     He's  got 


274          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

enough  to  last  him  longer  than  that,  if  he  don't  get 
help." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  that?" 

"I  mean  that  there's  some  of  the  men  as  fond 
of  spirits  as  he  is.  I  expect  he'll  have  help." 

"You  don't  include  yourself,  I  hope,  Tom." 

"No,  Mr.  Holdfast.  My  brother  died  of  drink 
a  year  ago,  and  though  up  to  that  time  I'd  taken 
my  glass  of  grog  along  with  the  rest  of  my  ship- 
mates, I  swore  off  then,  and  I  haven't  drunk  a  glass 
since,  and  I  don't  mean  to." 

"Then  you're  a  wise  man.  To  my  thinking, 
the  brandy  had  better  have  been  left  aboard. 
Nothing  but  harm  can  come  of  it.  I've  had 
trouble  with  the  captain  already  this  morning  on 
account  of  it,  and  I'm  afraid  this  isn't  the  end." 

After  a  while  the  captain  picked  himself  up, 
and  gazed  moodily  at  the  wreck,  of  which  so  little 
remained.  Then,  the  events  of  the  morning  re- 
curring to  him,  he  frowned  savagely,  and,  turn- 
ing toward  the  bluff,  he  shook  his  fist  angrily  in  the 
direction  of  the  mate's  encampment. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  275 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

THE    ITALIAN    SAILOR. 

FOR  several  days  nothing  of  note  occurred  on 
the  island.  The  captain  exhibited  an  inclination 
for  solitude.  In  the  morning  he  would  drink 
freely,  and  then  wander  off  by  himself,  not  return- 
ing till  nightfall.  It  must  be  admitted  that  his 
absence  was  felt  as  a  relief  by  both  parties.  When 
at  the  camp,  he  showed  a  disposition  to  domineer, 
as  if  he  were  still  the  tyrant  of  the  quarterdeck. 

Not  having  anything  special  on  their  hands,  the 
shipwrecked  party,  still  keeping  apart  in  their  two 
camps,  amused  themselves  as  best  they  could. 
Still,  there  were  hours,  and  plenty  of  them,  when 
all  felt  blue. 

An  idea  came  to  Harry. 

"Professor,"  he  said,  to  his  employer,  "why 
can't  we  give  one  of  our  entertainments  this  even- 
ing?" 


276  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Is  there  any  hall  that  we  can  have?"  asked  the 
professor,  smiling. 

"I  think  it  will  be  best  to  make  an  open-air  en- 
tertainment, under  the  circumstances,"  returned 
Harry.  "You  see,  some  of  the  men  are  getting 
downhearted,  when  they  think  of  the  small  pros- 
pect of  seeing  home,  and  it  may  cheer  them  up  a 
little." 

"It's  a  good  idea,  Harry,"  said  the  professor, 
seriously.  "By  good  luck,  I  have  in  my  trunk" — 
the  professor's  trunk,  like  Clinton's,  had  come 
ashore — "some  printed  programs,  requiring  only 
the  insertion  of  place  and  time,  and  you  may  post 
two  of  them  up,  one  at  each  camp.  Of  course, 
you  will  assist." 

"I  will  do  my  best." 

Great  was  the  surprise  and  interest  when  the 
sailors  and  passengers  saw  the  printed  posters  at- 
tached to  trees,  Harry  having  attended  to  that  duty 
in  person,  setting  forth  that  a  magical  entertain- 
ment would  that  evening  be  given,  admission  free, 
beginning  at  seven  o'clock.  The  hour  was  made 
early,  because  there  was  no  means  of  lighting  up. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  277 

"I  say,  Jack,  that  'minds  me  of  home,"  said 
Tim.  "Never  did  I  expect  to  see  a  bit  of  printin' 
nor  a  theayter  ag'in." 

"You're  right,  Tim.     It  looks  good,  it  do." 

Nothing  was  spoken  of  all  day  but  the  enter- 
tainment, and  half  an  hour  before  the  time  the 
audience  collected. 

Fortunately,  the  professor  had  saved  in  his 
trunk  all  the  implements  of  his  profession,  and  the 
entertainment  he  gave,  therefore,  was  quite  as 
good  as  any  he  was  accustomed  to  furnished  on 
shore. 

Some  of  the  sailors  had  never  seen  any  such  ex- 
hibition, and  they  gazed  with  open-eyed  wonder 
at  the  tricks  and  transformations,  in  which  Harry 
ably  seconded  the  "Magician  of  Madagascar." 
The  ventriloquism,  too,  excited  amazement,  and 
some  were  half  disposed  to  think  that  the  pro- 
fessor was  in  league  with  unholy  powers. 

At  the  close  the  professor  said : 

"Our  young  friend,  Harry  Vane,  will  now 
oblige  us  all  by  a  song." 

Harry  stepped  to  the  front  and  sang — he  had 


278  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

not  decided  upon  the  song — "Home,  Sweet 
Home!" 

Before  he  had  finished  it  tears  came  to  the  eyes 
of  more  than  one  of  the  sturdy  sailors.  The  song 
intensified  their  yearning  for  home,  and  the  doubt 
whether  they  would  ever  leave  the  island  power- 
fully affected  them.  From  the  same  cause 
Harry's  own  voice  became  tremulous,  aifd  he  saw 
that  he  had  made  a  mistake. 

"This  won't  do,  Harry,"  said  the  professor,  in 
a  low  voice.  "Give  them  something  jolly.  Let 
us  send  them  away  in  good  spirits." 

Harry  took  the  hint,  and  dashed  into  a  lively 
song  that  soon  called  forth  smiles  to  the  faces  but 
lately  sad.  He  followed  it  up  by  another,  and 
was  greeted  with  uproarious  applause. 

"Ladies  and  gentlemen,"  said  the  professor — "I 
beg  pardon,  gentlemen,  for  the  ladies  are  un- 
avoidably absent.  This  concludes  our  entertain- 
ment for  this  evening.  Hoping  that  you  have 
been  pleased  with  our  humble  efforts,  Harry  and 
myself  will  now  bid  you  good-night!" 

"That  professor's  a  smart  man !"  was  the  opin- 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  279 

Ion  expressed  by  more  than  one,  "and  the  lad  sings 
like  a  martingale." 

"That  isn't  the  word,  Jack.    You're  all  wrong." 

"Well,  it's  some  kind  of  bird.  I  disremember 
the  exact  name." 

All  the  party  were  present  except  one.  Capt. 
Hill  didn't  make  his  appearance  till  the  meeting 
was  breaking  up.  Then  he  came  in  sight,  round  the 
corner  of  the  encampment.  "What's  all  this?" 
he  demanded,  suspiciously,  of  a  sailor.  "What 
mischief  have  you  been  hatching  up  while  I  was 
away?" 

"That  poster  will  inform  you,  Capt.  Hill,"  said 
the  mate,  pointing  to  the  tree  close  by,  to  which  it 
was  attached.  "The  professor  has  been  trying  to 
cheer  up  the  men  a  little." 

The  captain  muttered  something  under  his 
breath,  and  passed  on. 

Among  the  sailors  was  an  Italian  named  Fran- 
cesco. Probably  he  had  another  name,  but  no  one 
knew  what  it  was.  In  fact,  a  sailor's  last  name  is 
very  little  used.  He  was  a  man  of  middle  height, 
very  swarthy,  with  bright,  black  eyes,  not  unpopu- 


280  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

lar,  for  the  most  part,  but  with  a  violent  temper. 
His  chief  fault  was  a  love  of  strong  drink. 
On  board  the  Nantucket  grog  had  been  served  to 
the  crew;  and  with  that  he  had  been  content.  But 
at  the  time  of  the  wreck  no  spirits  had  been  saved 
but  the  captain's  stock  of  brandy.  Francesco  felt 
this  to  be  a  great  hardship.  More  than  any  other 
sailor  he  felt  the  need  of  his  usual  stimulant.  It 
was  very  tantalizing  to  him  to  see  the  captain 
partaking  of  his  private  stock  of  brandy,  while  he 
was  compelled  to  get  along  on  water. 

"The  captain  is  too  mucha  selfish,"  he  said  one 
day,  to  a  fellow  sailor.  "He  should  share  his 
brandy  with  the  men." 

Ben  Brady,  the  sailor  to  whom  he  was  speak- 
ing, shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"Brandy  is  too  good  for  the  likes  of  us,"  he  said. 

"Who  says  that?"  demanded  the  Italian,  an- 
grily. 

"I  say  so,  my  hearty." 

"Then  the  captain  he  not  say  so,  eh?" 

"I  never  heard  him  say  so,  but  no  doubt  he 
thinks  so." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  281 

"I  no  want  brandy  if  I  can  get  grog;  but  there 
is  no  grog." 

"Then  you  will  have  to  do  without." 

"I  think  I  will  try  some  of  the  captain's  brandy 
when  he  is  away,"  said  Francesco,  slyly. 

"If  you  do,  you  will  get  into  trouble.  The  cap- 
tain will  half  murder  you  if  he  finds  it  out." 

"He  is  not  captain  now — we  are  all  equal — all 
comrades.  We  are  not  on  ze  sheep." 

"Take  my  advice,  Francesco,  and  leave  the 
brandy  alone." 

Francesco  did  not  reply,  but  he  became  more 
and  more  bent  on  his  design.  His  mouth  watered, 
if  that  is  a  correct  expression,  for  the  brandy  which 
he  saw  the  captain  partake  of  every  day.  Why 
should  one  man  monopolize  all  the  good  spirit,  he 
asked  himself,  when  he  was  suffering  for  a  draught 
of  it? 

He  watched  the  captain,  and  ascertained  where 
he  kept  his  secret  store.  Then  he  watched  his  op- 
portunity to  help  himself  to  it.  It  was  some  time 
before  he  had  an  opportunity  to  do  so  unobserved, 
but  at  length  the  chance  came. 


282  FACING    THE    WORLD 

The  first  draught  brought  light  to  his  eyes,  and 
made  him  smack  his  lips  with  enjoyment.  It  was 
so  long  since  he  had  tasted  the  forbidden  nectar 
that  he  drank  again  and  again,  forgetting  that 
brandy  had  a  strength  which  the  more  common 
liquors  to  which  he  was  accustomed  have  not. 
Finally  he  found  himself  overcome  by  his  pota- 
tions, and  sank  upon  the  ground  in  a  drunken 
stupor. 

He  was  getting  over  the  effects  when,  to  his  ill 
luck,  the  captain  returned  from  his  usual  solitary 
ramble,  and  wended  his  way  to  the  place  where  he 
had  stored  his  brandy.  Prone  on  the  ground,  in  a 
state  which  no  one  could  misunderstand,  he  saw 
Francesco. 

"He  has  been  at  my  brandy!"  Capt.  Hill  said 
to  himself,  with  flaming  eyes.  "The  fool  shall 
pay  dearly  for  his  temerity." 

He  advanced  hastily  to  the  prostrate  man,  and 
administered  a  severe  kick,  which  at  once  aroused 
the  half-stupefied  man. 

Francesco  looked  up  with  alarm,  for  the  captain 
was  a  much  larger  and  stronger  man  than  himself. 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  283 

"Pardon,  signer  capitan,"  he  entreated. 

"You  have  been  drinking  my  brandy,  you 
beast,"  said  Capt.  Hill,  furiously. 

"Pardon  me;  indeed,  I  could  not  help  it,  I  was 
so  thirsty." 

"I  pardon  you  ?"  roared  the  captain.  "I'll  give 
you  a  lesson  you  will  never  forget." 

I  draw  a  veil  over  the  brutal  treatment  poor 
Francesco  received.  When  it  was  over  he  crawled 
away,  beaten  and  humiliated,  but  in  his  eye  there 
was  a  dangerous  light  that  boded  no  good  to  the 
captain. 


284          FACING   THE    WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

MR.  CLINTON'S  TERRIBLE  ADVENTURE. 

MONTGOMERY  CLINTON,  having,  like  most  of 
his  companions,  very  little  to  occupy  his  mind,  got 
into  the  habit  of  taking  long  walks  about  the  is- 
land. He  had  got  over  his  fear  of  a  possible  en- 
counter with  savages,  having  made  up  his  mind 
that  the  island  was  uninhabited  save  by  the  ship- 
wrecked sailors  and  passengers  of  the  Nantucket. 
Though  he  was  not  likely  to  meet  anyone,  habit 
was  strong  upon  him,  and  he  attired  himself  as 
carefully  for  these  expeditions  as  if  he  were  about 
to  visit  Prospect  Park,  on  a  Sunday  afternoon,  or 
take  a  stroll  down  Fulton  Avenue,  in  his  native 
Brooklyn. 

Mr.  Clinton  was  not  fond  of  solitude.  He  felt 
that  it  was  a  pity  no  one  was  privileged  to  see  him 
in  all  the  splendor  of  his  apparel.  But  he  could 
always  admire  himself.  By  some  strange  over- 


FACING   THE    WORLD.          285 

sight,  not  a  mirror — not  even  a  handglass — had 
been  brought  on  shore,  and  his  only  chance  to  sur- 
vey himself  was  to  gaze  into  the  depths  of  some 
pellucid  pool,  and  admire  the  slender  figure  and 
attenuated  limbs,  which  qualified  him  for  h's 
crowning  distinction  as  a  modern  dude. 

About  two  miles  from  the  camp,  not  far  from 
the  shore,  was  a  small  pond,  or  pool,  which  he 
used  for  a  mirror.  His  reason  for  going  alone 
was,  that  he  could  not  have  indulged  otherwise, 
without  ridicule,  in  his  favorite  amusement  of  ad- 
miring his  own  form  and  figure. 

One  warm  day  he  fell  asleep  a  few  rods  from 
the  pond.  His  walk,  together  with  the  heat,  had 
made  him  drowsy,  and  pillowing  his  head  on  a 
clump  of  earth,  he  enjoyed  a  refreshing  slumber. 
At  length  he  had  a  dream  that  terrified  him.  It 
seemed  to  him  that  he  was  in  the  region  beyond 
the  Missouri,  in  the  heart  of  the  forests,  sur- 
rounded by  a  pack  of  American  Indians,  who, 
armed  with  bows  and  spears,  were  executing  a 
war  dance  about  him,  preparatory  to  inflicting 
cruel  tortures  upon  him.  Poor  Clinton's  brow  was 


286          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

covered  with  beads  of  cold  perspiration  in  spite  of 
the  heat,  and  his  mental  agitation  was  such  that 
the  chains  of  slumber  were  loosened,  and  he  woke 
up.  But  his  awakening  did  not  release  him  from 
the  thraldom  of  terror.  As  from  his  lowly  pillow 
he  looked  upward,  he  saw  a  brown  face  scanning 
him  with  curiosity.  It  was  only  one  of  half  a 
dozen  Polynesian  savages,  scantily  clothed,  as  is 
the  custom  of  their  race,  who  were  gathered  in  a 
circle  about  him. 

Clinton  at  first  thought  that  it  was  only  a  con- 
tinuation of  his  dream,  but  a  hurried  glance  at  the 
familiar  surroundings  satisfied  him  that  he  was 
broad  awake,  and  that  these  were  creatures  of  real 
flesh  and  blood. 

The  poor  fellow's  heart  sank  within  him.  They 
might  be  cannibals,  he  thought,  about  to  kill  him 
to  satisfy  their  degraded  appetite.  He  was  neither 
brave  nor  bold,  but  even  if  he  had  been,  he  was 
but  one  against  six.  What  could  he  do?  If  only 
he  could  propitiate  them  by  gentle  and  conciliatory 
speech,  he  might  yet  save  his  life. 

He  gathered  himself  up,  and  with  blanched  face 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  287 

and  troubled  look,  returned  the  steadfast  gaze  of 
the  strangers.  When  he  rose,  they  moved  back  a 
step,  and  surveyed  him  doubtfully,  as  if  uncertain 
of  his  intentions. 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Clinton,  in  a  tremulous  tone, 
"I  hope  you  will  excuse  me  for  intruding  upon  your 
domains.  'Pon  my  word,  I  didn't  know  you  lived 
here.  I'm  awfully  sorry,  don't  you  know." 

The  savages  looked  at  each  other  in  bewilder- 
ment. They  heard  the  words,  but  they  were  as  un- 
intelligible to  them  as  Greek  would  have  been  to 
Clinton.  The  object  before  them  evidently 
aroused  their  curiosity.  The  thin  figure  and  at- 
tenuated limbs  of  the  white  stranger,  with  the 
striped  trousers,  fitting  closely  to  the  skin,  which 
covered  them,  seemed  to  them  very  singular.  They 
were  evidently  not  quite  clear  in  mind  whether 
Clinton  was  not  curiously  tattooed,  for  one  of  them 
bent  down  and  passed  his  brown  hands  over  the 
trousers.  Then  he  turned,  and  spoke  in  a  soft 
gibberish  to  his  companions,  as  if  to  inform  them 
of  the  discovery  he  had  made. 

Poor  Clinton  trembled  when  this  examination 


288  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

was  going  on.  He  did  not  know  what  it  por- 
tended. Then  another  of  the  savages  came  for- 
ward and  gratified  his  curiosity  in  the  same  way. 
Then  he  put  his  hand  upon  his  own  leg,  and  spoke 
to  the  others,  no  doubt  calling  attention  to  the  dif- 
ference between  them. 

"They  are  admiring  my  trousers,"  thought  Clin- 
ton, and  in  spite  of  his  fears,  he  felt  a  certain  grati- 
fication in  feeling  that  he  was  once  more  appre- 
ciated, though  it  were  only  by  these  untutored 
savages. 

But  great  was  his  dismay  when  they  made  signs 
for  him  to  remove  his  trousers,  in  order  that  they 
might  the  better  form  an  opinion  as  to  this  un- 
known covering. 

*T really  hope  you'll  excuse  me,  gentlemen,"  he 
said,  with  trepidation.  "I  really  couldn't  spare 
them,  don't  you  know." 

Of  course  they  did  not  understand  him,  but  they 
saw  that  he  was  making  objections,  and  one  of 
them  made  a  threatening  gesture  that  brought 
Clinton  to  terms. 

In  anguish  of  heart,  he  proceeded  to  divest  him- 


FACING  THE  WORLD.  289 
self  of  his  pantaloons.  One  of  the  savages  took 
them,  and  they  were  passed  from  one  to  another, 
and  attentively  examined. 

"I  hope  they'll  give  them  back  to  me,"  thought 
Clinton,  anxiously. 

Finally  one  of  the  party  undertook  to  draw 
them  over  his  own  limbs,  which  were  quite  double 
the  size  of  the  unhappy  dude's. 

"You'll  tear  them,  my  good  friend,"  he  said,  in 
alarm.  "They  are  much  too  small  for  you,  don't 
you  know." 

Naturally  the  savage  took  no  notice  of  the  re- 
monstrance, and  proceeded  with  his  experiment. 
The  natural  result  followed.  In  attempting  to 
thrust  his  sturdy  limbs  into  the  dudelike  legs,  the 
trousers  burst  at  the  side,  and  after  a  hard  struggle 
the  gentleman  from  the  South  Seas  was  obliged  to 
give  it  up. 

He  shook  his  head  with  an  expression  of  great 
disgust,  and  threw  the  trousers  upon  the 
ground. 

Clinton  picked  them  up,  and  with  mental  an- 
guish surveyed  the  irreparable  damage  which  had 


290          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

been  done  to  his  choicest  trousers,  the  pride  of  his 
wardrobe.  He  put  them  on,  but  they  hung  limp 
and  tattered  to  his  limbs.  Their  glory  and  beauty 
had  departed. 

"What  will  they  do  next?"  the  unhappy  Clin- 
ton asked  himself. 

He  did  not  need  to  wait  long  for  an  answer  to 
his  question. 

The  first  savage  espied  his  hat,  a  choice  one 
bought  from  Knox,  and  unceremoniously  snatching 
it  from  his  head,  put  it  on  his  own. 

His  companions  seemed  amused,  and  laughed  in 
their  way  at  the  perpetrator  of  this  high-handed 
outrage,  as  he  strutted  about  with  Mr.  Clinton's 
fashionable  hat. 

"Please  give  it  back  to  me,  most  noble  savage!" 
pleaded  Clinton,  in  piteous  accents  of  genuine 
alarm,  for  although  he  had  recovered  from  the 
wreck  six  pairs  of  trousers,  he  had  but  one  hat, 
and  if  that  were  lost,  he  would  be  obliged  to  go 
about  without  any  head  covering. 

His  first  fears  had  departed.  The  strange 
visitors  seemed  too  gentle  to  be  cannibals.  But 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  291 

even  were  it  otherwise,  the  Brooklyn  dude  would 
have  made  very  poor  pickings  for  any  cannibal 
with  a  hearty  appetite.  Montgomery  Clinton, 
though  of  average  height,  weighed  but  one  hun- 
dred and  two  pounds  when  completely  dressed,  and 
would  have  required  a  long  time  to  fatten. 

The  poor  fellow's  trials,  however,  were  near  an 
end.  All  at  once  a  party  of  sailors  burst  out  of  a 
leafy  covert,  and  began  to  run  to  the  spot.  Im- 
mediately the  savages  took  to  their  heels  and  ran 
swiftly  to  the  sea,  where  a  couple  of  canoes  were 
awaiting  them.  The  sailors  joined  in  the  pursuit, 
but  did  not  succeed  in  overtaking  them.  Into  the 
canoe  they  jumped,  and  began  to  paddle  away. 
But  alas  !  Clinton's  hat  went  with  them.  The  new 
wearer  of  the  hat  forgot  to  return  it,  and  pre- 
sented a  curious  spectacle  as  he  sat  in  the  canoe  in 
his  scant  attire  with  a  fashionable  Broadway  hat 
on  his  head. 

"What  did  they  do  to  you,  Mr.  Clinton?"  asked 
a  sailor. 

"See  here!"  said  Clinton,  pointing:  mournfully 
to  his  ruined  trousers. 


292  FACING   THE    WORLD. 

But  the  sailors  only  laughed,  and  made  light  of 
what  to  Clinton  was  a  serious  trouble. 

"And  they've  got  my  hat,  too!"  said  Clinton, 
sadly. 

"Take  mine,  my  hearty  I"  said  a  sailor,  clapping 
his  own  tarpaulin  on  Clinton's  head.  "I  don't  need 
any,  not  bein'  delicate,  or  afraid  of  bein'  tanned." 

Clinton  was  about  to  decline,  but  finally  ac- 
cepted, feeling  a  headache  coming  on  from  the 
powerful  rays  of  the  sun,  and  henceforth  his  dude- 
like  appearance  was  marred  by  the  incongruity  be- 
tween the  hat  and  the  rest  of  his  attire. 


FACING   THE    WORLD.  293 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

A  TRAGICAL   END. 

WHILE  Clinton  was  undergoing  persecution 
from  the  unappreciative  natives,  a  different  and 
much  more  tragical  scene  was  being  enacted  at  a 
different  part  of  the  island. 

Capt.  Hill,  from  his  unfortunate  temperament, 
was  on  cordial  terms  with  none  of  his  shipwrecked 
companions.  The  sailors,  indeed,  yielded  him  a 
certain  outward  respect  on  account  of  the  position 
he  had  held  on  shipboard,  but  when  he  tried  to 
exercise  an  equal  authority  on  the  island  they  were 
stubborn,  and  declined  to  obey  him.  Now,  the 
captain  was  inclined  to  be  a  despot,  and  naturally 
liked  to  domineer.  This  disposition  on  the  part 
of  his  former  subordinates  annoyed  him  exceed- 
ingly, yet  he  was  obliged  to  submit  to  it.  Had  he 
been  pleasant  and  reasonable,  like  the  mate,  he 
would  have  found  no  difficulty  in  maintaining  his 
ascendancy,  and  the  sailors  would  have  yielded  him 


294          FACING    THE    WORLD. 

a  willing  obedience.  He  would  have  found  pleas- 
ure also  in  the  society  of  the  passengers.  As  it 
was,  all  avoided  him,  and  he  was  forced  to  depend 
upon  his  own  thoughts,  not  altogether  agreeable, 
for  companionship. 

Usually  soon  after  breakfast  he  set  out  on  a 
long  and  aimless  walk,  which  occupied  him  all  day. 
Where  he  went,  or  how  he  occupied  himself,  none 
knew,  for  no  one  took  the  trouble  to  follow  him, 
with  one  exception. 

If  Capt.  Hill  had  been  a  prudent  man,  he  would 
have  noticed  that  while  no  one  was  friendly  to  him, 
one  man  among  the  small  company  hated  him. 
This  was  Francesco,  the  Italian  sailor,  whom  he 
had  brutally  beaten  when  he  discovered  him  in  the 
act  of  purloining  his  brandy.  Others,  however, 
noticed  the  glances  of  hatred  with  which  the 
swarthy-faced  Italian  regarded  his  former  com- 
mander. One  day  Mr.  Holdfast  thought  it  right 
to  call  it  to  the  attention  of  the  captain. 

"Capt.  Hill,"  he  said,  "I  think  it  only  right  to 
tell  you  that  there  is  a  man  in  your  camp  who  may 
do  you  a  mischief." 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          295 

"What  do  you  mean?"  demanded  the  captain, 
haughtily,  drawing  himself  up. 

"I  mean  that  Francesco,  the  Italian  sailor,  evi- 
dently hates  you,  and  is  quite  capable  of  doing  you 
harm." 

"That — pygmy!"  said  the  captain,  disdainfully; 
"why,  he  is  only  a  boy  in  stature,  and  I  could  man- 
age half  a  dozen  like  him." 

"True,  if  you  had  fair  warning;  but  he  is  treach- 
erous— he  will  not  take  you  at  advantage." 

Capt.  Hill  laughed  scornfully. 

"I  am  not  an  old  man,  Mr.  Holdfast,"  he  said, 
"to  be  frightened  at  trifles.  The  fellow  is  wel- 
come to  hate  me.  I  would  as  soon  apprehend  dan- 
ger from  a  five-pound  puppy." 

"No  enemy  is  unworthy  of  notice,"  said  the 
mate,  sententiously. 

Capt.  Hill  made  a  gesture  of  impatience,  and 
walked  away. 

Holdfast  shook  his  head  in  disapproval. 

"Heaven  grant  his  confidence  be  not  mis- 
placed!" he  said  to  himself.  "I  am  no  coward, 
but  if  Francesco  looked  after  me  with  such  mur- 


296  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

derous  glances  as  those  with  which  he  regards  the 
captain,  I  should  feel  nervous  and  try  to  placate 
him." 

No  one  is  in  so  much  danger  as  the  man  who  is 
overconfident.  Capt.  Hill  did  not  allow  the  warn- 
ing he  had  received  to  make  him  more  prudent. 
Indeed,  it  did  harm,  for  he  picked  out  Francesco 
as  a  fit  subject  for  further  ill  treatment,  and  on 
more  than  one  occasion  kicked  and  cuffed  him. 
The  Italian  made  no  open  resistance,  but  slunk 
away,  while  the  captain  followed  lim  ;vith  a  de- 
risive smile. 

"So  that  is  the  man  I  am  to  be  afraid  of,  accord- 
ing to  Holdfast,"  he  muttered.  "Well,  I  propose 
to  make  it  unpleasant  for  him." 

Presently  Francesco  began  to  absent  himself. 
Where  he  went  no  one  knew  or  cared,  but  he,  too, 
would  be  away  all  day.  His  small,  black  eyes 
glowed  with  smoldering  fires  of  hatred  whenever 
he  looked  at  the  captain,  but  his  looks  were  al- 
ways furtive,  and  so  for  the  most  part  escaped  ob- 
servation. 

One  day  Capt.  Hill  stood  in  contemplation  on 


FACING  THE  WORLD.  297 

the  edge  of  a  precipitous  bluff,  looking  seaward. 
His  hands  were  folded,  and  he  looked  thoughtful. 
His  back  was  turned,  so  he  could  not,  therefore, 
see  a  figure  stealthily  approaching,  the  face  dis- 
torted by  murderous  hate,  the  hand  holding  a  long, 
slender  knife.  Fate  was  approaching  him  in  the 
person  of  a  deadly  enemy.  He  did  not  know  that 
day  by  day  Francesco  had  dogged  his  steps,  watch- 
ing for  the  opportunity  which  at  last  had  come. 

So  stealthy  was  the  pace,  and  so  silent  the  ap- 
proach of  the  foe,  that  the  captain  believed  him- 
self wholly  alone  till  he  felt  a  sharp  lunge,  as  the 
stiletto  entered  his  back  between  his  shoulders.  He 
staggered,  but  turned  suddenly,  all  his  senses  now 
on  the  alert,  and  discovered  who  had  assailed  him. 

"Ha !  it  is  you I"  he  exclaimed,  wrathfully,  seiz- 
ing the  Italian  by  the  throat.  "Dog,  what  would 
you  do?" 

"Kill  you  !"  hissed  the  Italian,  and  with  the  rem- 
nant of  his  strength  he  thrust  the  knife  farther  into 
his  enemy's  body. 

The  captain  turned  white,  and  he  staggered,  still 
standing  on  the  brink  of  the  precipice. 


298  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

Perceiving  it,  and  not  thinking  of  his  own  dan- 
ger, Francesco  gave  him  a  push,  and  losing  his 
balance  the  captain  fell  over  the  edge,  a  distance 
of  sixty  feet,  upon  the  jagged  rocks  beneath.  But 
now  alone!  Still  retaining  his  fierce  clutch  upon 
the  Italian's  throat,  the  murderer,  too,  fell  with 
him,  and  both  were  stretched  in  an  instant,  man- 
gled and  lifeless,  at  the  bottom  of  the  precipice. 
Whether  either  had  a  gleam  of  consciousness  after 
the  terrible  fall  could  not  be  told.  They  passed 
out  of  life  together. 

When  night  came,  and  neither  returned,  it  was 
thought  singular,  but  the  night  was  dark  and  they 
were  unprovided  with  lanterns,  so  that  the  search 
was  postponed  till  morning.  It  was  only  after  a 
search  of  several  hours  that  the  two  were  found, 
the  captain  even  in  death  retaining  his  hold  upon 
his  swarthy  foe,  while  the  faces  of  both  showed 
them  to  have  been  under  the  influence  of  passion. 

"He  would  have  been  alive  to-day  if  he  had 
heeded  my  warning!"  said  the  mate.  "I  told  him 
that  no  enemy  was  unworthy  of  notice." 

There  was  little  mourning  for  either.     Fran- 


FACING   THE   WORLD.          299 

cesco  had  never  been  a  favorite  with  the  .other 
sailors,  though  they  sympathized  with  him  against 
the  captain,  whose  brutal  treatment  was  without 
adequate  excuse. 


300          FACING   THE   WORLD. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

CONCLUSION. 

AFTER  the  captain's  death  two  distinct  camps 
were  still  maintained,  but  the  most  cordial  relations 
existed  between  them.  At  the  suggestion  of  the 
mate,  an  inventory  was  made  of  the  stock  of  pro- 
visions, and  to  each  camp  was  assigned  an  amount 
proportioned  to  the  number  of  men  which  it  con- 
tained. 

There  was  no  immediate  prospect  of  want.  Still, 
the  more  prudent  regarded  with  anxiety  the  steady 
diminution  of  the  stock  remaining,  and  an  attempt 
was  made  to  eke  them  out  by  fresh  fish  caught  off 
the  island.  But  the  inevitable  day  was  only  post- 
poned. At  length  only  a  week's  provisions  re- 
mained. The  condition  was  becoming  serious. 

"What  shall  we  do?"  was  the  question  put  to 
Mr.  Holdfast,  who  was  now  looked  upon  by  all 
as  their  leader  and  chief. 


FACING    THE    WORLD  301 

Upon  this  the  mate  called  a  general  meeting  of 
all  upon  the  island,  sailors  and  passengers  alike. 

"My  friends,"  he  said,  "it  is  useless  to  conceal 
our  situation.  We  are  nearly  out  of  provisions, 
and  though  we  may  manage  to  subsist  upon  the 
fish  we  catch,  and  other  esculents  native  to  this 
spot,  it  will  be  a  daily  fight  against  starvation.  I 
have  been  asked  what  we  are  to  do.  I  prefer 
rather  to  call  for  suggestions  from  you." 

"How  far  is  the  nearest  land,  in  your  opinion, 
Mr.  Holdfast?"  asked  Mr.  Stubbs. 

"Probably  it  is  at  least  a  thousand  miles  to  the 
continent,  meaning  the  continent  of  Asia.  No 
doubt  there  are  islands  much  nearer." 

"We  are  on  an  island  now,  and  probably  we 
should  not  improve  our  condition  by  seeking  an- 
other." 

"We  might  make  it  worse  if  we  reached  an  is- 
land inhabited  by  warlike  savages.  Upon  that 
point  I  can  give  you  no  information.  This  is  my 
first  voyage  to  this  part  of  the  world." 

"In  my  view  there  are  two  courses  open  to  us," 
said  Mr.  Stubbs,  finding  that  no  one  else  appeared 


302          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

to  have  anything  to  propose.  "We  must  remain 
here  and  eat  up  the  rest  of  our  provisions,  but  there 
seems  very  little  chance  of  our  attracting  the  at- 
tention of  any  passing  vessel.  We  appear  to  be 
out  of  the  ordinary  course.  Of  course,  it  is  possi- 
ble that  some  ship  may  have  passed  the  island 
without  attracting  our  notice.  What  is  your  opin- 
ion, Mr.  Holdfast?" 

"The  flag  of  the  Nantticket,  as  you  all  know, 
has  floated  night  and  day  from  a  pole  erected  on 
a  high  bluff,"  said  the  mate.  "The  chances  are 
that  if  any  vessel  had  come  sufficiently  near  it 
would  have  attracted  attention,  and  led  to  a  boat 
being  lowered,  and  an  exploring  party  sent 
thither." 

"Precisely.  It  looks,  therefore,  as  if  we  were 
out  of  the  general  course  of  vessels." 

Here  the  boatswain,  Harrison,  spoke  up. 

"I  agree  with  Mr.  Stubbs,"  said  he,  "and  I  say 
there's  only  one  thing  to  do." 

"Go  on,  sir,"  said  Stubbs. 

"While  we've  got  any  provisions  left,"  con- 
tinued the  boatswain,  "let  us  take  the  boats,  and 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  303 

put  out  to  sea.  We  can  go  where  the  ships  are, 
and  then  we'll  have  some  chance.  They'll  never 
find  us  here,  leastways,  such  is  my  opinion." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  assent  from  the  sailors, 
who  clearly  agreed  with  the  boatswain. 

"Ay,  ay;  let  us  take  to  the  boats!"  they  said. 

"Mr.  Harrison  expresses  my  sentiments,"  said 
Stubbs,  with  a  bow.  "His  proposal  is  identical 
with  the  one  I  intended  to  make." 

"My  friends,"  said  the  mate,  "you  have  heard 
the  proposal  made  by  the  boatswain,  and  indorsed 
by  Mr.  Stubbs.  All  who  are  in  favor  of  it  will 
please  raise  their  right  hand." 

All  voted  in  the  affirmative  with  the  exception 
of  Montgomery  Clinton. 

"Don't  you  think  the  plan  a  good  one,  Mr. 
Clinton?"  asked  Harry. 

"It's  so  horrid  being  out  in  a  small  boat,  don't 
you  know,"  responded  Clinton.  "It's  much  nicer 
on  the  island." 

"But  it  would  not  be  very  nice  staying  here  all 
our  lives,"  said  Harry.  "Still,  we  can  leave  you 
here,  if  you  prefer  it." 


3o4  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

"Oh,  no!"  said  Clinton,  hastily.  "I  might 
meet  some  of  those  horrid  natives,  don't  you  know. 
I'll  go  if  the  rest  go." 

"My  friends,"  said  Mr.  Holdfast,  "it  seems  to 
be  the  unanimous  sentiment  that  we  leave  the  is- 
land, and  sail  out  far  enough  to  be  in  the  course 
of  passing  vessels.  I  concur  in  the  expediency  of 
this  step,  and  am  ready  to  command  one  of  the 
boats." 

"Mr.  Clinton  will  command  the  other,"  said 
Harry. 

There  was  a  general  laugh,  which  reassured 
poor  Clinton,  who  had  taken  Harry's  proposal  in 
earnest,  and  was  about  to  excuse  himself,  in 
alarm. 

"Mr.  Harrison  will  command  the  other,"  con- 
tinued the  mate. 

"When  shall  we  start?"  asked  a  passenger. 

"The  sooner  the  better !  To-morrow  morning, 
if  it  is  pleasant." 

This  decision  pleased  all.  Something  was  to  be 
done,  and  hope  was  rekindled  in  the  breasts  of  all. 
Heretofore  they  had  been  living  on,  without  hope 


FACING  THE  WORLD.  305 

or  prospect  of  release.  Now  they  were  to  set  out 
boldly,  and  though  there  was  the  possibility  of 
failure,  there  was  also  a  chance  of  deliverance. 

No  sooner  was  the  decision  made  than  all  hands 
went  to  work  to  prepare  for  embarking.  Mr. 
Clinton,  even,  volunteered  his  assistance,  but  he 
proved  so  unhandy,  and  got  so  mixed  in  attempt- 
ing to  follow  directions,  that  Mr.  Holdfast  gravely 
excused  him  from  personal  labor,  and  asked  him 
to  superintend  the  others.  This  gave  Mr.  Clin- 
ton an  idea  that  he  was  of  great  service,  although 
his  orders  received  no  attention.  He  was  very 
much  disturbed  because  the  mate  would  not  agree 
to  carry  his  trunk  in  the  boat,  but  restricted  him 
to  the  clothes  he  had  on. 

"What  will  become  of  my  trousers?"  he  asked, 
pathetically. 

"The  next  party  of  natives  landing  on  the  is- 
land will  probably  find  them  very  convenient,"  said 
the  mate,  with  a  twinkle  in  his  eye. 

"I  couldn't  think  of  their  wearing  them,"  re- 
sponded Clinton,  mournfully.  "May  I  take  one 
pair  under  my  arm?" 


306          FACING   THE    WORLD. 

This  favor  was  finally  accorded  to  the  young 
man,  and  his  grief  was  somewhat  mitigated. 

In  the  apportionment  of  passengers,  Mr.  Hold- 
fast, who  commanded  the  long  boat,  retained 
Harry,  the  professor  and  Clinton.  Six  sailors,  in- 
cluding Jack  Pendleton,  made  up  the  comple- 
ment. 

"I  am  glad  you  are  going  to  be  with  us,  Jack," 
said  Harry,  joyfully.  "I  shouldn't  like  to  be  sep- 
arated from  you." 

"Nor  I  from  you,  Harry,"  returned  Jack,  with 
a  look  of  affection,  for  he  had  grown  very  much 
attached  to  our  hero. 

"I  don't  know  what  fate  is  in  store  for  us,"  con- 
tinued Harry,  "but,  at  any  rate,  we  shall  be  to- 
gether." 

At  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning  they  started. 
As  the  island  faded  in  the  distance,  all  looktd 
thoughtfully  at  their  sometime  home. 

"Shall  we  ever  see  it  again,  Jack,  I  wonder?" 
said  Harry. 

"I  hope  not,"  answered  Jack,  "except  from  the 
deck  of  a  good  ship." 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  307 

"I  have  passed  some  happy  days  there.  It  isn't 
so  bad  a  place,  after  all." 

"But  I  like  the  ship's  deck  better." 

"Because  you  arc  fond  of  the  sea.  You  will  be 
a  captain  some  time,  Jack." 

"I  hope  so,"  answered  the  young  sailor,  with 
glowing  face. 

"How  would  you  like  to  be  a  sailor,  Mr.  Clin- 
ton?" asked  Harry,  mischievously. 

"It  is  a  horrid  business,"  said  Clinton,  shudder- 
ing. "The  sea  is  very  nasty.  Ohl" 

"What's  the  matter?" 

"Some  nasty  sea  water  was  splashed  on  my 
trousers.  You  sailor  men,  please  row  more  care- 
fully." 

The  sailors  only  laughed,  and  five  minutes  later 
poor  Clinton  suffered  again  in  the  same  way, 
whether  by  accident  or  design  I  am  not  sure. 

Three  days  the  two  boats  floated  about  on  the 
bosom  of  the  ocean — three  days  and  nights  of 
anxiety,  during  which  no  sail  was  visible.  But  at 
length  a  ship  was  sighted. 

"All  of  you  wave  your  handkerchiefs!"  said  the 


3o8  FACING    THE    WORLD. 

mate.  "In  one  way  or  another  we  must  try  to 
attract  attention." 

"Wave  your  trousers,  Clinton,"  said  Harry. 

"I  can't,  don't  you  know,"  said  Clinton,  be- 
wildered. 

Not  to  protract  the  reader's  suspense,  let  me  say- 
that  by  great  good  fortune  the  mate  of  the  ap- 
proaching ship,  in  sweeping  the  ocean  with  his 
glass,  caught  sight  of  the  two  boats,  and  changed 
the  course  of  the  vessel  so  as  to  fall  in  with 
them. 

"Who  are  you?"  he  hailed. 

"Shipwrecked  sailors  and  passengers  of  the  ship 
Nantucket,"  was  the  answer  of  Mr.  Holdfast. 

They  were  taken  on  board,  and  discovered  that 
the  vessel  was  the  Phocis,  from  New  York,  bound 
for  Melbourne. 

"We  shall  reach  our  destination  after  all,  then, 
professor,"  said  Harry,  "and  you  will  be  able  to 
give  your  entertainments  as  you  proposed." 

Prof.  Hemenway  shook  his  head. 

"I  shall  take  the  first  steamer  home,"  he  said. 
"My  wife  will  be  anxious  about  me,  and  even  now 


FACING    THE    WORLD.  309 

is  in  doubt  whether  I  am  alive  or  dead.  You  can 
return  with  me  if  you  like." 

"No,"  answered  Harry.  "After  the  trouble  I 
have  had  in  getting  to  Australia,  I  mean  to  stay 
long  enough  to  see  what  sort  of  a  country  it  is.  I 
think  I  can  make  a  living  in  one  way  or  another, 
and  if  I  can't,  I  will  send  to  America  for  the  money 
I  have  there." 

In  due  time  they  reached  Melbourne,  without 
further  mischance.  Harry  induced  Jack  to  re- 
main with  him,  but  Mr.  Clinton,  with  a  new  stock 
of  trousers,  purchased  in  Melbourne,  returned  to 
America  on  the  same  steamer  with  the  professor. 
What  befell  the  two  boys,  in  whom  I  hope  my 
readers  have  become  interested,  will  be  told  in  a 
new  story,  entitled:  "In  a  New  World;  or»  Harry 
Vane  in  Australia." 


THE  END. 


A,  L.  Burt's  Catalogue  of  Books  for 
Young  People  by  Popular  Writers,  52- 
58  Duane  Street,  New  York  ^  ^  x 


BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Joe's  Luck:     A  Boy's  Adventures  in  California.    By 

HORATIO  ALGER,  JR.    IStno,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

The  story  is  chock  fall  of  stirring  incidents,  while  the  amusing  situ- 
ations are  furnished  by  Joshua  Blckford,  from  Pumpkin  Kollow,  and  the 
fellow  who  modestly  styles  himself  the  "Rip-tail  Roarer,  from  Pike  Co., 
Missouri."  Mr.  Alger  never  writes  a  poor  book,  and  "Joe's  Luck"  is  cer- 
tainly one  of  his  best. 

Tom  the   Bootblack;  or,   The   Koad   to   Success.     By 

HORATIO  ALGER,  JR.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

A  bright,  enterprising  lad  was  Tom  the  Bootblack.  He  was  not  at  all 
ashamed  of  his  humble  calling,  though  always  on  the  lookout  to  better 
himself.  The  lad  started  for  Cincinnati  to  look  up  his  heritage.  Mr. 
Grey,  th.?  uncle,  did  not  hesitate  to  employ  a  ruffian  to  kill  the  lad.  The 
plaij  failed,  and  Gilbert  Grey,  once  Tom  the  bootblack,  came  into  a  com- 
fortable fortune.  This  Is  one  of  Mr.  Alger's  best  stories. 

Dan  the  Newsboy.    By   HORATIO   ALGER,   JR.    12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Dan  Mordaunt  and  his  mother  live  in  a  poor  tenement,  and  the  lad  Is 
pluckily  trying  to  make  ends  meet  by  selling  papers  in  the  streets  of  New 
York.  A  little  heiress  of  six  years  is  confided  to  the  care  of  the  Mor- 
daunts.  The  child  is  kidnapped  and  Dan  tracks  the  child  to  the  house 
where  she  Is  hidden,  and  rescues  her.  The  wealthy  aunt  of  the  little 
heiress  Is  so  delighted  with  Dan's  courage  and  many  good  qualities 
that  she  adopts  him  as  her  heir. 

Tony  the  Hero:     A    Brave    Boy's    Adventure  with  a 

Tramp.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SI. 00. 

Tony,  a  sturdy  bright-eyed  boy  of  fourteen,  is  under  the  control  of 
Rudolph  Rugg,  a  thorough  rascal.  After  much  abuse  Tony  runs  away 
and  gets  a  job  as  stable  boy  in  a  country  hotel.  Tony  is  heir  to  a 
large  estate.  Rudolph  for  a  consideration  hunts  up  Tony  and  throws 
him  down  a  deep  well.  Of  course  Tony  escapes  from  the  £at«  provided 
for  him,  and  by  a  brave  act,  a  rich  friend  secures  his  rights  and  Tony 
Is  prosperous.  A  very  entertaining  book. 

The  Errand  Boy;  or,  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success. 

By  HORATIO  AI-GER,  JR.    12mo,  cloth  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

The  career  of  "The  Errand  Boy"  embraces  the  city  adventures  of  a 
•mart  country  lad.  Philip  was  brought  up  by  a  kind-hearted  innkeeper 
named  Brent.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Brent  paved  the  way  for  the  hero's 
subsequent  troubles.  A  retired  merchant  in  New  York  secures  him  the 
situation  of  errand  boy,  and  thereafter  stands  as  his  friend. 

Tom  Temple's  Career.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR.     12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tom  Temple  Is  a  bright,  self-reliant  lad.  He  leaves  Plympton  village 
to  seek  work  in  New  York,  whence  he  undertakes  an  important  mission 
to  California.  Some  of  his  adventures  in  the  far  west  are  so  startling  that 
the  reader  will  scarcely  close  the  book  until  tho  last  page  shell  have  been 
reached.  The  tale  Is  written  in  Mr.  Alger's  most  fascinating  style. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUST,  62-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


&          A.  E.  BtJET^S  BOOKS  FOE  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Frank  Fowler,  the  Cash  Boy.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 

32mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Frank  Fowler,  a  poor  boy,  bravely  determines  to  make  a  living  for 
himself  and  his  foster-sister  Grace.  Going  to  New  York  be  obtains  a 
situation  as  cash  boy  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  renders  a  service  £  a 
Wealthy  old  gentleman  who  takes  a  fancy  to  the  lad,  and  thereafter 
helps  the  lad  to  gain  success  and  fortune. 

Tom  Thatcher's   Fortune.     By   HORATIO   ALGER,  JR. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tom  Thatcher  Is  a  brave,  ambitious,  unselfish  boy.  He  supports  his 
mother  and  sister  on  meagre  wages  earned  as  a  shoe-pegger  In  John 
Bimpson's  factory.  Tom  Is  discharged  from  the  factory  and  starts  over- 
land for  California.  He  meets  with  many  adventures.  The  story  Is  told 
In  a  way  which  has  made  Mr.  Alger's  name  a  household  word  In  so  many 
homes. 

The  Train    Boy.    By    HORATIO    ALGER,    JR.    12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Paul  Palmer  was  a  wide-awake  boy  of  sixteen  who  supported  his  mother 
and  sister  by  selling  books  and  papers  on  the  Chicago  and  Milwaukee 
Railroad.  He  detects  a  young  man  In  the  act  of  picking  the  pocket  of  a 
young  lady.  In  a  railway  accident  many  passengers  are  killed,  but  Paul 
Is  fortunate  enough  to  assist  a  Chicago  merchant,  who  out  of  gratitude 
takes  him  Into  his  employ.  Paul  succeeds  with  tact  and  judgment  and 
Is  well  started  on  the  road  to  business  prominence. 

Mark  Mason's  Victory.    The  Trials  and  Triumphs  of 

a  Telegraph  Boy.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  Ja.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price 

Mark  Mason,  the  telegraph  boy.  was  a  sturdy,  honest  lad,  who  plucklly 
won  his  way  to  success  by  his  tanest  manly  efforts  under  many  diffi- 
culties. This  story  will  please  the  very  large  class  of  boys  who  regard 
Mr.  Alger  as  a  favorite  author. 

A  Debt  of  Honor.     The  Story  of  Gerald  Lane's  Success 

in  the  Far  West.  By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR,  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price 
.  $1.00. 

The  story  of  Gerald  Lane  and  the  account  of  the  many  trials  and  dis- 
appointments which  he  passed  through  befoi  he  attained  success,  will 
Interest  all  boys  who  have  read  the  previous  stories  of  this  delightful 


i  Ben  Bruce.     Scenes  in  the  Life  of  a  Bowery  Newsboy. 

By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR.    ISino,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Ben  Bruce  was  a  brave,  manly,  generous  boy.  The  story  of  his  efforts, 
and  many  seeming  failures  and  disappointments,  and  his  final  success,  are 
most  Interesting  to  all  readers.  The  tale  Is  written  In  Mr.  Alger'i 
most  fascinating  style. 

The  Castaways;  or,  On  the  Florida  Eeefs.    By  JAMES 

OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  tale  smacks  of  the  salt  sea.  From  the  moment  that  the  Sea 
Queen  leaves  lower  New  York  bay  till  the  breeze  leaves  her  becalmed  off 
the  coast  of  Florida,  one  can  almost  hear  the  whistle  of  the  wind 
through  her  rigging,  the  creak  of  her  straining  cordage  as  she  heels  to 
the  leeward.  The  adventures  of  Ben  Clark,  the  hero  of  the  storv  and 
Jake  the  cook,  cannot  fail  to  charm  the  reader.  As  a  writer  for  young 
people  Mr.  Otis  is  a  prime  favorite.  ^________ 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  tb* 
publisher,  Ao  I>  BUET  S«-68  Bs»a»  Strut.  New  York 


A.   L    BURT'S  BOOKS  FOB  TOUNG  PEOPLE,          5 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYST" 

Wrecked  on  Spider  Island;  or,  How  Ned  Rogers  Found 

the  Treasure.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    I2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Ned  Rogers,  a  "down-east"  plucky  lad  ships  as  cabin  boy  to  earn 
a  livelihood.  Ned  Is  marooned  on  Spider  Island,  and  while  there  dis- 
covers a  wreck  submerged  In  the  sand,  and  finds  a  considerable  amount 
of  treasure.  The  capture  of  the  treasure  and  the  Incidents  of  the 
royage  serve  to  make  as  entertaining  a  story  of  sea-life  as  the  most 
captious  boy  could  desire. 

The  Search  for  'the  Silver  City:  A  Tale  of  Adventure  in 

Yucatan.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Two    lads,    Teddy    Wright    and    Neal    Emery,    embark    on    the    stea 


A   Runaway   Brig;  or,    An   Accidental    Cruise.     By 

JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  sea  tale,  and  the  reader  can  look  out  upon  the  wide  shimmer- 
ing sea  as  it  flashes  back  the  sunlight,  and  Imagine  himself  afloat  with 
Harry  Vandyne,  Walter  Morse,  Jim  Libby  and  that  old  shell-back,  Bob 
Brace,  on  the  brig  Bonita.  The  boys  discover  a  mysterious  document 
which  enables  them  to  find  a  buried  treasure.  They  are  stranded  on 
an  island  and  at  last  are  rescued  with  the  treasure.  The  boys  are  sure 
to  be  fascinated  with  this  entertaining  story. 

The    Treasure    Finders:     A    Boy's    Adventures    in 

Nicaragua.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Roy  and  Dean  Coloney,  with  their  guide  Tongla,  leave  their  father't 
Indigo  olantation  to  visit  the  wonderful  ruins  of  an  ancient  city.  The 
boys  eagerly  explore  the  temples  of  an  extinct  race  and  discover  three 
golden  images  cunningly  hidden  away.  They  escape  with  the  greatest 
difficulty.  Eventually  they  reach  safety  with  their  golden  prizes.  We 
doubt  if  there  ever  was  written  a  more  entertaining  story  than  "The 
Treasure  Finders." 

Jack,  the  Hunchback.    A  Story  of  the  Coast  of  Maine. 

By  JAMES  OTIS.    Price  $1.00. 

This  Is  the  story  of  a  little  hunchback  who  lived  on  Cape  Elizabeth, 
on  the  coast  of  Maine.  His  trials  and  successes  are  most  Interesting. 
From  first  to  last  nothing  stays  the  interest  of  the  narrative.  It  bears  u« 
along  as  on  a  stream  whose  current  varies  in  direction,  but  never  lose* 
Its  force. 

With  Washington  at  Monmouth:   A   Story  of  Three 

Philadelphia   Boys.     By  JAMES  OTIS.     ISmo,   ornamental   cloth,   olivine 

edges,  illustrated,  price  $1.50. 

Three  Philadelphia  lads  assist  the  American  spies  and  make  regular 
and  frequent  visits  to  Valley  Force  in  the  Winter  while  the  British 
occupied  the  city.  The  story  abounds  with  pictures  of  Colonial  life 
skillfully  drawn,  and  the  glimpses  of  Washington's  soldiers  which  are 
given  shown  that  the  work  has  not  been  hastily  done,  or  without  con- 
siderable  study.  The  story  is  wholesome  and  patriotic  in  tone,  as  are 
all  of  Mr.  Otis'  works, 

For  sate  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  hr  «*« 
publisher.  A,  "L*  BUKT,  $8-68  J)u»na  Street,  H»w  York, 


4       A.  L.  BURT'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

With  Lafayette  at  Yorktown:  A  Story  of  How  Two 

Boys  Joined  the  Continental  Army.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  ornamental 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  illustrated,  price  §1.50. 

Two  lads  from  Portm«uth,  N.  H.,  attempt  to  enlist  In  the  Colonial 
Army,  and  are  given  employment  as  ipies.  There  is  no  lack  of  exciting 
Incidents  which  the  youthful  reader  craves,  but  it  is  healthful  excite- 
ment brimming  with  facts  which  every  boy  should  be  familiar  with, 
and  while  the  reader  is  following  the  adventures  of  Ben  Jaffrays  and 
Ned  Allen  he  is  acquiring  a  fund  of  historical  lore  which  will  remain 
In  his  memory  long  after  that  which  be  has  memorized  from  text- 
books has  been  forgotten. 

At  the  Siege  of  Havana.     Being  the  Experiences  of 

Three  Boys  Serving  under  Israel  Putnam  in  1762.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo, 

ornamental  cloth,  oliTine  edges,  illustrated,  price  J1.50. 

"At  the  Sieg«  of  Havana"  deals  with  that  portion  of  the  island'* 
history  when  th«  English  king  captured  the  capital,  thanks  to  the 
assistance  given  by  the  troops  from  New  England,  led  in  part  by  Col. 
Israel  Putnam. 

The  principal  characters  are  Darius  Lunt,  the  lad  who,  represented  as 
telling  the  story,  and  his  comrades,  Robert  Clement  and  Nicholas 
Vallet.  Colonel  Putnam  also  figures  to  considerable  extent,  necessarily, 
In  the  tale,  and  the  whole  forms  one  of  the  most  readable  stories  founded  on 
historical  facts. 

The  Defense  of  Fort  Henry.       A  Story  of  Wheeling 

Creek  in  1777.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  ornamental  cloth,  olivine  edges, 

illustrated,  price  $1.50. 

Nowhere  in  the  history  of  our  country  can  be  found  more  heroic  or 
thrilling  incidents  than  in  the  story  of  those  brave  men  and  women 
who  founded  the  settlement  of  Wheeling  in  the  Colony  of  Virginia.  The 
recital  of  what  Elizabeth  Zane  did  is  in  itself  as  heroic  a  story  as  can 
b«  imagined.  The  wondrous  bravery  displayed  by  Major  McCulloch 
and  bis  gallant  comrades,  the  sufferings  of  the  colonists  and  their  sacrifice 
of  blood  and  life,  stir  the  blood  of  old  as  well  as  young  readers. 

The  Capture  of  the  Laughing  Mary.    A  Story  of  Three 

New  York  Boys  in  1776.    By  "JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  ornamental  cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  $1.60. 

"During  the  British  occupancy  of  New  York,  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Revolution,  a  Yankee  lad  hears  of  the  plot  to  take  General  Washington's 
person,  and  calls  in  two  companions  to  assist  the  patriot  cause.  They 
do  some  astonishing  things,  and.  Incidentally,  lay  the  way  for  an 
American  navy  later,  by  the  exploit  which  gives  its  name  to  the 
work.  Mr.  Otis'  books  are  too  well  known  to  require  any  particular 
commendation  to  the  young." — Evening:  Post. 

With  Warren  at  Bunker  Hill.    A  Story  of  the  Siege  of 

Boston.     By  JAMES  OTIS.     12mo,  ornametnal  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illus- 
trated, price  gl. 50. 

"This  is  a  tale  of  the  siege  of  Boston,  which  opens  on  the  day  after 
the  doings  at  Lexington  and  Concord,  with  n  description  of  home  life 
In  Boston,  introduces  the  reader  to  the  British  camp  at  Charlestown, 
shows  Gen.  Warren  at  home,  describes  what  a  boy  thought  of  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  closes  with  the  raising  of  the  siege.  The 
three  heroes,  George  Wentworth,  Ben  Scarlett  and  an  old  ropemaker, 
incur  the  enmity  of  a  young  Tory,  who  causes  them  many  adventures 
the  boys  will  like  to  read." — Detroit  Free  Press. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUK.T,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BUET^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.          5 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

With  the  Swamp  Fox.     The  Story  of  General  Marion's 

Spies.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  story  deals  with  General  Francis  Marlon's  heroic  struggle  In  the 
Carolinas.  General  Marion's  arrival  to  take  command  of  these  brave 
men  and  rough  riders  is  pictured  as  a  boy  might  have  seen  it,  and 
although  the  story  is  devoted  to  what  the  lads  did,  the  Swamp  Fox 
is  ever  present  in  the  mind  of  the  reader. 

On  the  Kentucky  Frontier.    A  Story  of  the  Fighting 

Pioneers  of  the  West.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

In  the  history  of  our  country  there  Is  no  more  thrilling  story  than 
that  of  the  work  done  on  the  Mississippi  river  by  a  handful  of  frontiers- 
men. Mr.  Otis  takes  the  reader  on  that  famous  expedition  from  the 
arrival  of  Major  Clarke's  force  at  Corn  Island,  until  Kasbaskia  was 
captured.  Ee  relates  that  part  of  Simon  Kenton's  life  history  which 
Is  not  usually  touched  upon  either  by  the  historian  or  the  story  teller. 
This  is  one  of  tha  most  entertaining  books  for  young  people  which  bos 
been  published. 

Sarah  Dillard's  Ride.     A  Story  of  South  Carolina  in 

in  1780.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  §1.00. 

"This  book  deals  with  the  Carolinas  in  1780,  giving  a  wealth  of  detail  of 
the  Mountain  Men  who  struggled  so  valiantly  against  the  king's  troops. 
Major  Fereuson  is  the  prominent  British  officer  of  the  story,  which  is 
told  as  though  coming  from  a  youth  who  experienced  these  adventures. 
In  this  way  the  famous  ride  of  Sarah  Dillard  is  brought  out  as  an 
incident  of  the  plot."  —  Boston  Journal. 

A  Tory  Plot.     A  Story  of  the  Attempt  to  Kill  General 

Washington.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"  'A  Tory  Plot'  is  the  story  of  two  lads  who  overhear  something 
of  the  plot  originated  during  the  Revolution  by  Gov.  Tr.von  to  capture 
or  murder  Washington.  They  communicate  their  knowledge  to  Gen. 
Putnam  and  are  commissioned  by  him  to  play  the  role  of  detectives 
In  the  matter.  They  do  so,  and  meet  with  many  adventures  and  hair- 
breadth escapes.  The  boys  are,  of  coui-se,  mythical,  but  they  serve  to  en- 
able the  author  to  put  into  very  attractive  shape  much  valuable  knowledge 
concerning  one  phase  of  the  Revolution."  —  Pittsburgh  Times. 


A  Traitor's  Escape.     A  Story  of  the  Attempt  to  Seize 


A  Cruise  with  Paul  Jones.     A  Story  of  Naval  Warfare 

In  1776.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"This  story  takes  up  that  portion  of  Paul  Jones'  adventurous  life 
When  he  was  hovering  off  the  British  coast,  watching  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  strike  the  enemy  a  blow.  It  deals  more  particularly  with 
his  descent  upon  Whitehaven,  the  seizure  of  Lady  Selkirk's  plate,  and 
the  famous  battle  with  the  Drake.  The  boy  who  figures  in  the  tal* 
Is  one  who  was  taken  from  a  derelict  by  Paul  Jones  shortly  after  this 
particular  cruise  was  begun."  —  Chicago  Inter-Oeean. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,   or  sent  postpaid  on   receipt  of  price  by   U»« 
A.   L.   BUST,   63-53  Duano  Street,   New  Yor*. 


fe          £.  C,  BUET^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Corporal  Lige's  Recruit.    A  Story  of  Crown  Point  and 

Ticonderoga.    By  JAMES  OTIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1,00. 
"In   'Corporal  Line's  Recruit,'  Mr.   Otis  tells  the  amusing  story  of  an 
old  soldier,  proud  of  his  record,  who  had  served  the  king  In  '58.  and  who 
(  takes   the   lad,    Isaac   Rice,    as   his   'personal   recruit.'       The   lad   acquits 
himself   superbly.     Col.    Ethan    Allen    'in    the   name   of   God   and   the   con- 
tinental congress,"   Infuses   much   martial   spirit  into  the  narrative,    which 
will    arouse    the    keenest    interest    as    it    proceeds.     Crown    Point,    Ticon- 
deroga,   Benedict    Arnold    and    numerous    other    famous    historical    names 
appear  in  this  dramatic  tale." — Boston  Globe. 

Morgan,  the  Jersey  Spy.  A  Story  of  the  Siege  of  York- 
town  in  1781.  By  JAMES  OTIS.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
"The  two  lads  who  are  utilized  by  the  author  to  emphasize  the  details 
Of  the  work  done  during  that  memorable  time  were  real  bo.vs  who  lived 
on  the  banks  of  the  York  river,  and  who  aided  the  Jersey  spy  in  his 
dangerous  occupation.  In  the  guise  of  fishermen  the  lads  visit  York- 
town,  are  suspected  of  being  spies,  and  put  under  arrest.  Morgan  risks 
his  life  to  save  them.  The  final  escape,  the  thrilling  encounter  with  * 
squad  of  red  coats,  when  they  are  exposed  equally  to  the  bullets  ol 
friends  and  foes,  told  in  a  masterly  fashion,  makes  of  this  volume  one 
of  the  most  entertaining  books  of  the  year." — Inter-Ocean. 

The  Young  Scout:  The  Story  of  a  West  Point  Lieu- 
tenant. By  EDWARD  S.  ELLIS.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
The  crafty  Apache  chief  Geronlmo  but  a  few  years  ago  was  the 
most  terrible  scourge  of  the  southwest  border.  The  author  has  woven, 
In  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  incidents  of  Geronimo's  last  raid. 
The  hero  is  Lieutenant  James  Decker,  a  recent  graduate  of  West  Point. 
Ambitious  to  distinguish  himself  the  young  man  takes  many  a  desperate 
chance  against  the  enemy  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  narrowly 
escapes  with  his  life.  In  our  opinion  Mr.  Ellis*  Is  the  best  writer  of 
Indian  stories  now  before  the  public. 

Adrift  in  the  Wilds:    The  Adventures  of  Two  Ship- 
wrecked Boys.    By  EDWARD  S.  ELLIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 00. 
Elwood  Brandon    and    Howard    Lawrence    are   en    route    for   San    Fran- 
cisco.    Off  the  coast  of  California  the  steamer  takes  fire.       The  two  boys 
reach    the    shore    with    several    of    the    passengers.     Young    Brandon    be- 
comes   separated    from    his    party    and    Is    captured    by    hostile    Indians, 
but    is    afterwards    rescued.     This    is    a    very    entertaining    narrative    of 
Southern    California. 

A  Young  Hero;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.    By  EDWARD  S. 

ELLIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  story  tells  how  a  valuable  solid  silver  service  was  stolen  from 
the  Misses  Perkinpine,  two  very  old  and  simple  minded  Indies.  Fred 
Sholdon,  the  hero  of  this  story,  undertakes  to  discover  the  thioves  and 
have  them  arrested.  After  much  time  spent  in  detective  work,  he 
succeeds  in  discovering  the  silver  plate  and  winning  the  reward.  The 
story  is  told  in  Mr.  Ellis'  most  fascinating  style.  Every  boy  will  r* 
glad  to  read  this  delightful  book. 

Lost  in  the  Rockies.     A  Story  of  Adventure  in  the 

Rocky  Mountains.    By  EDWARD  S.  ELLIS.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

Incident  succeeds  Incident,  and  adventure  Is  piled  upon  adventure, 
and  »t  the  end  the  reader,  be  he  boy  or  man,  will  have  experienced 
breathloss  enjoyment  in  this  romantic  story  describing  many  adventures  in 
the  Rockies  and  among  the  Indians. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  th« 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUKT,  62-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


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